To approve funding to Herefordshire Sustainable Food and Tourism Partnership (HSFTP) to undertake feasibility study on the possibility of creating a Herefordshire Destination Business Improvement District (BID).

The reasons for the recommendation are that the Herefordshire Sustainable Destination Management Plan (DMP) 2018-2022 identified developing a Destination BID for Herefordshire as a key priority. 

The Herefordshire Destination BID proposal has been identified in the DMP as a route to establish strategic governance and management and achieve financial independence for the sector and support the delivery of the DMP priorities for the county.

That:

(a)        Grant funding of up to £20k is awarded to The Brightspace Foundation on behalf of the Herefordshire Sustainable Food and Tourism Partnership to undertake a feasibility study on the possibility of creating a Herefordshire Destination Business Improvement District.

1.          That Herefordshire Council does not approve funding towards a feasibility study for a Herefordshire Destination BID.

2.          This option could leave the council vulnerable to adverse publicity as it has supported the development of the Herefordshire Sustainable Destination Management Plan (DMP) 2018 – 2022 over recent months.

3.          In the absence of HSFTP undertaking this piece of work to progress recommendations from the Herefordshire Sustainable Destination Management Plan 2018 – 2022 the actions and priorities identified in the DMP are unlikely to be achieved.