COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
MOTION NO. 3
MOTION: Councillor W. Lavelle
That this committee request the Manager to present a preliminary report for discussion on the proposals contained in the Public Realm Transformation Initiative to establish a BIDS-type scheme in the Ballyowen Castle area; and in particular requests the manager to engage with the elected members on important matters to be considered such as:
- How local businesses can be involved in and contribute financially to a new scheme but without the strict and inflexible constraints of current BIDS legislation?
- If the remit of the proposed scheme could be extended to other areas of Lucan South?
- How residents associations and community groups can be involved?
REPORT:
The basis of a BIDs proposal is based in legislation - Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006. A Business Improvement District (BID) is a business-led and business -funded organisation formed to improve and develop a defined geographic area. BIDs are formed following consultation and a ballot in which businesses vote on a proposal or business plan for that particular area based on the developmental requirements of that area and the needs and wants of the businesses contained within it. The formation of a BID process is complex. South Dublin Chamber who had expressed an interest in the process and formed a BID company now state that there is no appetite for BIDS in the current economic climate.
However although the BIDS process may not be applicable there are ways in which groups in an area can work together to improve the locality, upgrade the appearance of the area and enhance community involvement up to and including the Tidy Towns competition.