Today (28th October) is the last day that Wight BID levy payers can submit their ballot papers to determine the future of the Wight BID (business improvement district).
The current Wight BID – which is run by Visit Isle of Wight – came to an end in August 2021 and a ballot has been taking place over the last month in collaboration with the Isle of Wight council.
The Yes vote needs to be a 51 per cent majority for Wight BID to continue for another five years.
Over £4m raised
Over the last five years Wight BID levy payers have contributed over £2.5m, with over £1.5m of match funding raised alongside. This money is used to promote the Isle of Wight to potential holiday makers around the globe, as well as offer support to tourism-related businesses.
Businesses registered as liable for the Wight BID levy in 2020 have been contacted over the past few months, their views sought and an appeal made for them to vote Yes in the ballot.
Griffiths: Implemented a diverse range of projects
Ian Griffiths, the Chair of Visit Isle of Wight, says,
“Visit Isle of Wight has worked tirelessly over the last five years to implement a diverse range of projects, to attract the visitors that we want to the Isle of Wight.
“This achievement and the attendant successes we have seen could only have happened in direct response to you, the voters and sponsors of the Wight BID.
“It has been your ideas on how to enhance trading, increase footfall and grow profitability that has driven our work and motivated us to be ambitious for our destination.”
Claims of no ballot papers
Some Isle of Wight tourism-relate businesses say they’ve not received ballot papers yet and haven’t had any luck contacting Visit Isle of Wight about the issue.
The Wight BID ballot is being administered by the Isle of Wight council. They contracted Civica Election Services to distribute around 1,000 physical ballot papers on their behalf on 28th September 2021.
The Isle of Wight council has 41 votes in the ballot, as there is one vote per qualifying property.
Opposition to the Wight BID
Although the proposal (see in full below) contains a great deal of support from all corners of the Island, there has been a campaign opposing the BID from those who claim it is, “not fit for purpose” and an “unnecessary tax on the businesses of our Island”.
Objectors to the Wight BID say, “it’s had five years to prove itself as the great investment they promised us, but it but has failed demonstrate this so not worth throwing good money after bad”.
Blocked from filming meetings
Lyn Blackledge, who has been acting as a representative for several Wight BID levy payers told News OnTheWight that although she was initially given permission to film a consultation meeting in Ryde (for the benefit of those who could not attend), that permission was then withdrawn from Visit Isle of Wight before the meeting began.
She went on to say that she was booked in to Wight BID Zoom calls on the following Sunday, but was removed by the moderator without explanation before the meeting started.
VIOW: No filming permitted at any sessions
News OnTheWight put these points to Visit Isle of Wight. A spokesperson replied,
“Lyn – as a claimed representative – was allowed to attend the meeting in Ryde on the Wednesday, however the Chair of Visit Isle of Wight made the decision that filming would not be allowed – and as Chair, that is his right.
“It should be pointed out that no filming was allowed at the session before or at the session afterwards!”
Questions asked in a “disruptive manner”
The spokesperson went on to say,
“Regarding the Zoom meetings that were held on Sunday – Lyn had attended the meeting in person on Wednesday.
“Her questions were addressed – despite the disruptive manner in which they were asked, preventing other businesses present the opportunity to discuss the themes of the next five years of the Wight BID.
“When Lyn requested to join all of the Zoom meetings on Sunday, it was felt that she would have no other reason than to disrupt the meetings, and that her questions had been addressed at the meeting in Ryde.”
Last day for ballot papers
As mentioned, today is the deadline for getting your ballot papers into County Hall, Newport.
They need to be there by no later than 5pm (Thursday 28th October). If you have not yet posted them, you can leave ballot papers at the main reception desk.
Ballot papers that have been posted but not received by 5pm today will not be counted.
