Tipperary BID proposal moves closer after overwhelming business support

Commercial ratepayers in Clonmel voted on a proposal to create a business improvement district to give businesses more influence over improving the town. Businesses would contribute to a dedicated fund for improving and promoting Clonmel. Ratepayers would pay 5% of their total annual rates into the BID company for five years. The plebiscite passed with an overwhelming majority, with councillors welcoming the result as positive for the town. The BID proposal will be presented to the June plenary meeting of Tipperary County Council, where all councillors will decide whether to officially implement it. Responsibility for advancing the proposal now rests with councillors in the Clonmel district.

"Commercial ratepayers in Clonmel were being asked to vote on plans to set up a BID for the town, aiming to give more power to businesses to improve their town. Businesses would be asked to contribute to a fund aimed at improving and promoting the town. Ratepayers would be asked to pay 5pc of their total annual rates into the BID company for a period of five years."

"At the May meeting of Clonmel Borough District, councillors were told that the plebiscite which was put to ratepayers passed with an overwhelming majority voting in favour. Fine Gael councillor Tom Acheson said that the result was great news for the town. "Congratulations to all, it's a great result for the BID," he said."

"Fianna Fáil councillor Siobhán Ambrose also welcomed the passing of the vote, saying that a lot of work had gone into the proposal by the BID proponents. "I just want to congratulate the BID on a wonderful performance. An inordinate amount of work went into it and they certainly had my support on the initiative. Cllr Ambrose said the successful vote marked the culmination of years of work on the proposal and would complement existing council initiatives in the town."

"The BID proposal will now be presented at the June plenary meeting of Tipperary County Council, where all 40 councillors will vote on whether it should be officially implemented or not. Mayor of Clonmel Cllr Pat English said now the responsibility for getting the BID across the line rests with councillors in the Clonmel district. "It's fantastic for the town that the BID programme has gone on the way it is, with 85pc of people voting in favour of it. I think it has to go past the plenary council first but it's up to us to push it"

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