Agenda item

            The Director of Economic Development submitted for the Committee’s consideration the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report / Summary of Main Issues

1.1        The purpose of the report is to:

·        Introduce the plans for the BID One ballot which closes on 5 March 2026

·        Secure Committee approval to submit council votes for properties located within the BID One boundary.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       Members are asked to:

·        Note the update on the ballot for the third term of the Belfast One BID (Business Improvement District)

·        Agree to return yes votes for the Council properties located within the boundary. 

3.0       Main report

3.1       Members will be aware that there are three Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in Belfast city centre: BID One which covers the main retail core and runs from the City Hall down to the junction of Royal Avenue and North Street; Linen Quarter which covers the office district to the north the City Hall including the new Transport Hub and Destination CQ which covers the Cathedral Quarter including the Ulster University campus. 

3.2       Under government legislation, all BIDs operate on a five-year term.  At the end of each term, a ballot must take place in order for the BID to continue its work.  BID One is the longest standing of the three BIDs and began operations in April 2016. The ballot for the third term of BID One opened on 22 January 2026 and all votes must be submitted by 5 March 2026.

3.3       In order for the proposal to be successful at ballot, the result will need to meet, as a minimum, three independent criteria, namely:

1.     There must be more yes votes than no votes (volume)

2.     Total rateable value of yes votes must exceed total rateable value of no votes (value)

3.     The turnout of ballot papers returned must be no less than 25% of the eligible rate payers entitled to vote in the ballot and total no less than 25% of the eligible rateable value.

3.4       The BID One area contains around 700 units that are eligible for votes.  Each property must pay an annual mandatory BID levy – depending on the NAV (Net Annual Value) of the property. The council has seven properties within the BID One boundary including City Hall, 2 Royal Avenue and the former Digital Services building in Gloucester Street. The combined levy total for all properties is around £23,000 annually.  The expected levy total for all properties (assuming 100% payment) is around £1million annually.  This expenditure will be allocated in line with business plan priorities.

3.5       BID One works closely with the council on a range of issues related to safety, cleanliness and vibrancy in the city centre.  The team and the Board are also represented on a number of city centre forums and working groups and, given their mandate, represent a strong conduit for engagement with city centre businesses operating in this geographical area.   Their five-year business plan for the upcoming term proposes focusing resources on four main areas of work, namely:

·        Promoting Belfast city centre

·        Enhancing the visitor experience

·        Supporting local businesses

·        Shaping a better city centre. 

3.6       Given the ongoing collaboration, the planned engagement and the direct contribution of the BID (both financially and in terms of staff resources) towards shared priorities with the council, it is recommended that members support a yes vote on behalf of the council in the current ballot process. 

4.0       Financial Implications

Belfast City Council will be liable for levy payments relating to its properties and assets located within the BID One boundary.  These levies are already included in recurring Council budgets.

5.0       Equality or Good Relations Implications /

            Rural Needs Assessment

No specific equality or good relations implications.  The Belfast One designated boundary has been approved by DfC.  Visitor insights demonstrate that the city centre is accessed by visitors from all parts of Northern Ireland and beyond.”

            The Chairperson welcomed to the meeting Belfast One Business Improvement District (BID) Chair, Ms. L. Barr, and Chief Executive, Ms. M. Connolly.

            Ms. Connolly presented the Committee with further information in relation to the work of the Belfast One BID over the previous term, 2021-2026, and set out its plans for the proposed third term, 2026-2031, subject to the BID receiving the required support in the ballot.

            She stated that Belfast One BID had been established in 2016 and represented a diverse economic mix of over seven hundred businesses located within approximately one square mile of the city centre.

            She outlined the BID’s work over the previous term which contributed to the city’s priorities and complemented statutory services. She stated that the work included partnership working within the city to improve safety, increase footfall, strengthen visitor experience, help address anti-social behaviour and improve confidence in the city for people to work, live and visit. She also outlined the BID’s work in relation to the delivery of year-round animation and events to support local businesses.

            It was reported that the BID’s Business Plan for 2026-31 had been developed through extensive consultation with the business community and reflected the key priorities which had been identified, which included the need to strengthen collaborative working within the city centre to improve cleanliness and safety, enhance the environment, support local businesses and trading conditions, and help shape future development.

            Ms. Connolly highlighted the BID’s continued work with the Council on a range of initiatives within the city centre and requested that the Council’s support Belfast One BID in the ballot for a third term to deliver its plan for 2026-31.

            The Chairperson thanked the Belfast One BID representatives for their attendance at the meeting and the information provided within the presentation, and they left the meeting.

The Committee:

i.       noted the update on the ballot for the third term of the Belfast One BID; and

ii.      agreed to return yes votes for the Council properties located within the BID’s boundary.