Meeting documents

Melanie Williams - HWBIDCo Manager

The Committee welcomed Melanie Williams, BID Manager for HWBIDCo, to the meeting.

Melanie explained that she had been in post for four months, and was responsible for delivery of the BID Business Plan and the management of HWBIDCo.  She emphasised that HWBIDCo was an independent, not-for-profit partnership, representing the local business community within High Wycombe town centre.  There were 250 BIDS in the UK and the HWBID had been renewed in 2017 for a further five years.  The HWBIDCo Business Plan focusses on four areas: well managed (cleaner, greener, security); busy (events, showcasing the town, media); thriving businesses (signposting / business support, parking) and well presented (represent the business voice).   The following points with regards to these areas were noted:

• A new website had been launched and there were now 5,000 followers across social media channels.
• The aim was to have three large events across the year.  Currently the main large events, Frogfest and the Christmas lights switch on, were very successful.  Members were invited to provide any feedback or ideas for future events.  There were also plans for smaller events to take place on a monthly basis to encourage people into the town centre.
• A Town Ranger was in post, this role supported the Safe and Secure vision for the town centre. It was noted that during December (eleven) street beggars had been moved on 700 times.  Further areas around enforcement and visibility were being considered with increased enforcement powers for wardens being investigated.
• Members were invited to do a ‘walkabout’ group around the town centre.
• It was noted that there were some issues regarding anti-social behaviour and littering in the town centre.
• The HWBIDCo would be objecting to the planning application regarding temporary accommodation on the Desborough Road.
• There was a lack of free short term parking in the town centre and HWBIDCo were concerned at the effect this was having on businesses. 
• BIDCo were tasked with the removal of unused telephone boxes in the area. 

Members raised a number of points and received responses in respect of various questions.  Main points were as follows:

• Dispersal of beggars did not solve the issue of street begging however HWBIDCo’s priority was to protect businesses in the town centre.  It was noted that charities would be working in partnership on this matter (Wycombe Street Support Partnership).

·         Parking was an issue in the town centre as there was very little free or short term parking.  It was recognised that enforcement was an issue for the short stay parking on Frogmoor.  HWBIDCo would like to pioneer schemes that were beneficial for High Wycombe.

·         If more funding was available then HWBIDCo would use this for additional staff to help support businesses and improve the town centre, facilitate future events and employ more street wardens.

• It was suggested that the market should be provided with three years of subsidy to make it worthwhile for traders. 
• HWBIDCo could consider bidding for the market contract once up for renewal but noted they were not market operators and this this could cause a conflict of interest as they represent the current arrangements. It was suggested that another option that could be explored, that had worked in other areas, was for the market traders themselves could take over the contract in the future.
• Farmers markets would require good footfall to make them viable.

The Committee thanked Melanie for her update.