During Tuesday’s meeting, Ipswich Borough Council’s Executive unanimously agreed to abstain from voting in the Explore Suffolk Destination Business Improvement District (BID) ballot.
It was agreed that the decision on whether the proposed BID should be created should firmly sit with business owners in the affected area and that businesses which have a vote in the ballot should weigh the benefits and vote accordingly. The Executive did not wish to influence businesses.
Councillor Neil MacDonald, Ipswich Borough Council Leader, says:
“We are very clear that Ipswich and Suffolk businesses need to lead the way when making decisions that impact them.
As a Council we value tourism, and attracting visitors to our borough and the wider area but the proposal has a significant impact on business owners, and we must move over to allow those business owners to lead the way and make a decision that best serves their needs.”
