Background

The Huntingdon First has operated as a Business Improvement District since 2012 and is currently in its second term, which operates until 30th September 2022 and therefore requires a renewal ballot to continue its mandate into a third term.  The proposed new mandate has been given the go ahead by The Huntingdon First Board to take place in August/September 2022. The Huntingdon First BID has an excellent track record of delivery since its establishment in 2012, is highly visible and has a good business mandate achieving an 85% yes vote in 2017.

The Huntingdon First has had a strong programme of business engagement throughout its work programme.  Regular communication is undertaken with 100% of its members – keeping its membership updated as to the work of the organisation, events and activities in Huntingdon, opportunities and threats.  The organisation manages a successful and well-attended business networking programme.

Member Engagement (2021-22)

2021/22 has clearly been dramatically influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.  However, over the period Huntingdon First has sought to and succeeded in maintaining an engagement with its members.

An occupier consultation programme during the period has helped understand the appetite for a renewal of the current BID mandate and identify priorities and themes moving forward which appear in the BID renewal business plan.

• All BID members were given the opportunity to meet during 2021, a total of 238 business occupiers.
• All members have been invited to Huntingdon First business-to-business networking events;
• All members receive Huntingdon First e-communications;
• 100% of members have been asked to advise of their key contact;
• One-to-one meetings have been undertaken with over 95% of the constituency.
• A majority of occupiers met have demonstrated positivity towards the BID and all members have had the opportunity to meet to discuss the business priorities.

Ballot Campaign (2022)

Presentation of the renewal Business Plan.

• An invitation to discuss the business plan has been given to 100% of businesses taking part in renewal ballot;
• An electronic version of business plan has been sent to all BID members and any new businesses in the ballot;
• A printed version of the business plan has been distributed to all BID members and any new businesses in the ballot;
• All businesses in the ballot have been asked to verify their decision maker in a Council led voter verification (canvass) process;
• Members will be invited to business-to-business and other networking events;
• The Notice of Ballot has been sent to the finalised voter list confirmed by the Council.

The Huntingdon First renewal BID ballot commences August 2022