Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member Culture, Wellbeing and Business

RESOLVED THAT:

1.            An annual grant of £47,000 be provided to the Cheltenham Business Improvement District (BID) until January 2026 to contribute to the cost of the BID providing Christmas lights in Cheltenham town centre and a switch on event/activation;

2.            The cost of the electricity consumption reasonably and properly incurred by the Lights be met by the Council, and that this is sourced from a renewable supply;

3.            Authority be delegated to the Director of Planning to agree the terms of the grant agreement.

The Cabinet Member Culture, Wellbeing and Business presented the report, thanking the BID and council officers for their hard work in preparing it. She noted that the festive period was always important to the town centre, but more so than ever considering the impact of Covid. The Christmas lights would boost the town centre economy as part of the Covid recovery and contribute to the Christmas spirit amongst residents, businesses and the town as a whole. She added that the area where the lights would be set up had been extended compared to previous years, and would include the town centre sections of Bath Road, Bayshill Road, St George’s Place, St George’s Road and Royal Well, reflecting the area covered by the BID. The renewal of the BID for a second term allowed the council to plan its future with more certainty.

The Cabinet Member Customer and Regulatory Services added that he believed that Cheltenham would have a fantastic Christmas, and that the lights would contributes to this. He also welcomed the focus on renewable energy.

The Leader moved to the vote, where it was unanimously:

RESOLVED THAT:

1.            An annual grant of £47,000 be provided to the Cheltenham Business Improvement District (BID) until January 2026 to contribute to the cost of the BID providing Christmas lights in Cheltenham town centre and a switch on event/activation;

2.            The cost of the electricity consumption reasonably and properly incurred by the Lights be met by the Council, and that this is sourced from a renewable supply;

3.            Authority be delegated to the Director of Planning to agree the terms of the grant agreement.