Tavistock businesses back BID in vote shaping town centre's next chapter

Businesses in Tavistock have voted to continue the town's Business Improvement District (BID), securing another term for the business-led partnership.

West Devon Borough Council announced that from a total of 131 cast ballot papers, 111 businesses backed the proposal, while 20 voted against.

The proposal also secured the required majority by rateable value, with supporting businesses representing a combined rateable value of £2,434,750 from the £2,640,650 included in the ballot.

As a result, the Business Improvement District will continue, with eligible businesses in the BID area contributing through a levy to fund projects and services that support Tavistock's town centre.

Business Improvement Districts are partnerships led by local businesses to invest in initiatives that promote and improve commercial areas.

Funding is raised through a levy paid by eligible businesses within the BID boundary.

West Devon Borough Council said the result means Tavistock's business community will continue to work together on projects that support the town's economy and encourage people to live, work, visit and invest in the area.

The official declaration confirmed the proposal was approved after securing a majority of votes both by number and by aggregate rateable value, as required under the Business Improvement District (England) Regulations 2004.

The result was formally declared last week, on Friday 17 July, by Julia Teixeira, acting as an agent of the ballot holder.

According to the declaration:

"I hereby declare that the proposal to establish a Business Improvement District for Tavistock is approved. A majority of the Business ratepayers in the proposed BID area who voted, voted in favour of the proposal, both by aggregate rateable value and numbers voting."

The ballot, of which no papers were rejected, was held under the provisions of the Local Government Act 2003 and the Business Improvement District (England) Regulations 2004.