Issue - meetings

Representatives attending from Cambridge BID

The Chair welcomed Ed Quigley and Ian Sandison from Cambridge (Business Improvement District) BID to present a report on the work of the Business Improvement District team.

Mr Quigley provided details on the work of Cambridge BID which had been spread over four key work streams; Pride and Promotion, Welcoming and Vibrant, Safe and Clean and Business Support.

Comments from members of the public:

     i.        Asked if the BID Team could ensure that the clearing of snow was undertaken in the City Centre.

    ii.        Enquired about the role of the City Ambassadors and the work that they undertook and asked if the money could be better spent.

   iii.        Queried if there had been any progress on re-introducing the pea pods.

Comments from the Committee:

     i.        Asked the opinion of local businesses on the value of the day coach trips that brought large volume of tourists into the City but did not necessarily spend money during their visit.

    ii.        Enquired how the BID Team promoted sustainability and encouraged local businesses to become greener and aware of their social responsibility.

   iii.        Enquired into the promotion of the Ethical Buying Scheme in Cambridge

  iv.        Queried how the work of street cleaning differed to that of the City Council’s street team.

   v.        Requested that information collected by the City Ambassadors such as data on illegal punt touts was passed to Councillors as well as Officers.

In response to the comments made, Mr Quigley and Mr Sandison made the following statements:

     i.        The focus is to encourage those visitors who visit the City to stay longer and contribute to the economy.

    ii.        Regarding the clearing of snow the BID Team should not replace services that should be run by the local authorities as this is what business rates were paid for but the BID Cleansing Team would clear the snow if absolutely necessary and had the time to do so.

   iii.        The BID Team delivered the deep cleansing that the City Council did not have the equipment or resources to do.  There was a partnership working and a pilot scheme would be starting to encourage recycling, changing peoples’ behaviour called ‘bin it your way’.

  iv.        The projects delivered by the BID Team were set by the local businesses and the organisation was separate to the City Council which was not funded by public funds.

   v.        The role of the City Ambassador was created as local businesses had said that they would like to see a ‘Visitor Welcome Service’. The Ambassador provided excellent customer services and undertook work for the businesses in the City.

  vi.        Cambridge BID aimed to promote good business practice in an open and transparent way and was recently accredited as a living wage employee. Currently working on recycling projects and reducing the volume of delivery vehicles into the City to promote a healthier environment.

 vii.        Waiting for costing regarding the installation of Pea Pods and would be prepared to the part fund this scheme.

viii.        Planning to meet with the Student Hub to discuss the Ethical Guide to Buying in Cambridge.