Plymouth Waterfront Business Improvement District
Joint Statement from the Councillors for St Peter and the Waterfront Ward and Sutton and Mount Gould Ward
The successful Plymouth City Centre Company (PCCC) has demonstrated the way in which a BID can revitalise an area, build business confidence and increase economic activity. We welcome the opportunity PWP has to replicate this success across the city’s waterfront.
For many years local residents and businesses have told us that something needs to be done with our waterfront. We totally agree. PWP has enabled local businesses to come together to propose a way forward, and in doing so has managed to secure a potential substantial investment in the waterfront area.
The Plymouth Waterfront BID encompasses an area that has thousands of residents. This makes it different from the geography covered by PCCC. As ward Councillors we have argued that the BID, whilst meeting business objectives, must ensure that it recognises the needs of local people in its planning and delivery. We are pleased that this concern has been addressed by the PWP Board and that residents’ groups within the BID area will have a formal role to play within the Advisory Board, which will become increasingly influential in determining strategic priorities as well as providing an opportunity for the PWP Board and officers to involve stakeholders directly in policy and direction.
We congratulate the BID on securing a guarantee that a ‘Yes’ vote will lock in a wide range of existing Plymouth City Council services. In a time when cuts to services are the norm this £2,000,000 commitment will benefit local residents. As ward Councillors we have worked with both Plymouth City Council and PWP to ensure that these services are not re-allocated from residential to commercial areas. We have received assurances from both parties that this will not happen, and that services to residential areas will be protected.
Initially we were concerned that PWP stated that the BID would be ‘the primary consultee for City Council strategies and planning applications’. As Ward Councillors we challenged this in order to prevent any perceived diluting of the importance of local people’s voices. We are pleased that PWP quickly recognised this and have made the necessary correction. We therefore welcome the potential for the BID to be an important consultee alongside local residents.
We have found key PWP Board members and staff to be committed to the success of our waterfront. They have listened to our concerns and suggestions and worked with us to improve their plans.
We welcome the proposals contained within the BID Business Plan and wish PWP success in the forthcoming ballot on adopting this.
Cllr Mary Aspinall (Sutton and Mount Gould)
Cllr Sue McDonald (St Peter and the Waterfront)
Cllr Jean Nelder (Sutton and Mount Gould)
Cllr Chris Penberthy (St Peter and the Waterfront)
Cllr Eddie Rennie (Sutton and Mount Gould)
Cllr Ian Tuffin (St Peter and the Waterfront)
