14 October (Part 1) - BIDs and Books
It has been said here many times before, that the Places Scrutiny meeting
chaired and vice-chaired by Councillors Bacon and Smith (Sidcup and Bexley
village) respectively is the most consistently interesting of the bunch.
That is because it deals with subjects that affect nearly everyone. Bins, roads,
parking, shopping and, last Wednesday, libraries too.
The Conservatives’ propaganda machine is constantly telling us that library
usage is up but are people borrowing books or only popping in to use the toilet?
Councillor June Slaughter (Conservative, Sidcup) wanted to know how current
levels of book lending compared to pre-Covid levels.
Those particular figures were unavailable but with two new libraries opening
this year 2023 is proving to be higher than the lock down years.
Simple visit numbers were available in the meeting Agenda and reproduced here.
Councillor Lucia-Hennis said that in her local library, Crayford, the footfall was down.
She had found it closed on days it was supposed to be open. Councillor Mabel
Ogundayo (Labour, Thamesmead East) said usage of the new Thamesmead Nest library was
disappointing and not much better than the old temporary Portacabin. Directional
signage is to be improved.
The discussion moved on to Business Improvement Districts which I have always
felt is jobs for boys eager to impose taxes on shopping but it has to be said that those
who should know more about the subject than I do can put up an enthusiastic
defence.
There are two BIDs in Bexley, one
covering Bexleyheath and the other
Sidcup.
Councillor Munur, the Cabinet Member for Growth said it was not the right time to create more.
Councillor Cameron Smith said the BIDs have been very successful and add a lot to the
High Streets including the creation of events that bring people in. Councils can
no longer afford to do such things but the downside is that BIDs may be placing the smaller shopping
centres at a competitive disadvantage. He didn’t think that Bexley Council
should close the door on more BIDs and made a number of suggestions for
expansion.
Councillor Munur again poured cold water on any ideas to change the BID
structure in the immediate future.