Schedule 1
Business Rate Supplements Bill
12:45 pm
Dan Rogerson (North Cornwall, Liberal Democrat)
I am sympathetic to what is set out in the hon. Gentleman’s amendment. We have heard at some length how successful the BIDs model has been, around the country, at delivering extra investment in a very localised area. In addition to the ballot issue, which we have addressed, part of that model concerns the ongoing engagement and involvement of all the funding partners in delivering the scheme, so that they have confidence that it is being delivered in accordance with what was originally set out, and so that any slight variations, or reports on how things are proceeding, are part of engagement in line with previous consultation.
I am sympathetic to the idea that a similar case could be made for having greater involvement in the delivery of a project that a BRS would fund. We have previously debated, or at least discussed, the fact that we do not have the tradition of having a core, uniform business rate for local authorities, but this issue is over and above that. Business is being asked to contribute, and it is important to have some reassurance that business will be heard and that we will get the benefit of business experience. In delivering projects of this kind, it would undoubtedly be beneficial if local businesses that are strongly engaged with economic activity had such opportunities.