Councillors in East Dunbartonshire have supported plans to regenerate Milnagavie town centre. The approval comes on the provision that local businesses also are in support of the proposals.

Earlier this week, the Council's Development & Regeneration Committee approved a draft business plan to establish a Milnagavie Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID).

It agreed that, subject to confirmation at the Council's Policy and Resources Committee, the local authority will contribute £30,000 per annum for the five-year period of the proposed business plan, as well as continuing to offer ongoing officer support.

The approval now allows the BID Steering Group to proceed with submitting their BID Proposal to Scottish Government, and to request the Returning Officer from East Dunbartonshire Council to conduct a ballot of businesses within the BID area.

In November 2011, a previous ballot was unsuccessful and the Council's Economic Development Team and BID Steering Group have since worked together to review the bid process and ballot.

As a result, key areas for improvement and action were identified.

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A BID is a defined geographical area where businesses work together and invest collectively in local improvements which will improve their trading environment. It delivers projects and services which are clearly in addition to those delivered by statutory authorities and is able to lever in additional funding from external sources in order to deliver business-led priorities.

According to East Dunbartonshire Council, the new plan would generate an investment of around £350,000 over the five-year-period. In addition, the Council would contribute a total of £150,000 over the five years, together with additional in-kind and officer support, whilst the BID would also work to draw in additional external funding for marketing and events projects.

To date, there has been extensive consultation with businesses within the BID area and key projects have been identified, resulting in three key objectives being found. They are:

• Enhancing Milngavie town centre as the heart of the community
• Making Milngavie a destination of choice
• Boosting business activity and support.

Councillor Alan Moir, Convener of the Development and Regeneration Committee said: "We are delighted to approve the BID Business Plan and remit to the Council's Policy and Resources Committee for approval of the requested funding support of £30,000 per year, should the ballot of businesses be successful.

"Members of the Economic Development Team have been working hard with the BID Steering Group for a considerable length of time and they all deserve great praise.

"The creation of a BID for Milngavie would be terrific news for the future of the town centre and supports the Council and Community Planning Partnership's aim to achieve sustainable growth.

"It's vital we work together with the BID Steering Group and businesses from all sectors to help the town centre flourish.

"This is not about saving the Council money - this is about working with businesses to allow them to enhance their role in the community to secure a vital and vibrant town centre which meets the needs of local residents and businesses now and in the future."

(JP/IT)