Mayor and TD welcome Clonmel ratepayers' vote in favour of BID proposal
The proposal to set up a Business Improvement District in Clonmel will now go before Tipperary County Council’s June meeting for approval
The proposal to set up a Business Improvement District company to assist with improving Clonmel's prosperity and vibrancy will go before Tipperary County Council’s June meeting for approval after an overwhelming majority of the town's ratepayers voted in favour of the initiative.
The Clonmel BID proposal was approved by 482 votes to 85 in a postal ballot of the town's rate payers that began in mid-April and concluded last Wednesday afternoon, May 13.
This translates to 85% of the votes cast being in favour of the proposal.
The results of the plebiscite are published by Tipperary County Council in this week's edition of The Nationalist.
The postal ballot was counted at Tipperary County Council's Civic Offices in Clonmel last Wednesday.
A council-appointed returning officer and deputy returning officer presided over the count while Mayor of Clonmel Cllr Pat English and Leas-Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council Cllr Mark Fitzgerald were observers.
The BID proposal will now come before the Council's elected members for approval at their monthly meeting in Clonmel on June 8.
If they give green light, the town's BID proponents will proceed with setting up the BID company that will be led by a CEO and a board comprising of ratepayers, a Clonmel Borough District councillor and Tipperary County Council official.
If established, Clonmel's BID company will be funded through a levy paid by all the town's ratepayers from the small shop owner, to multi-national industries and large chain stores.
It's estimated that the Clonmel BID levy will generate an annual fund of €350,000 with the potential to use that fund to leverage for grants to invest in initiatives to improve footfall in Clonmel and boost the town's economy.
Mayor of Clonmel Cllr Pat English and Clonmel based Fine Gael TD Michael Murphy have both welcomed the result of the Clonmel ratepayers plebiscite.
Cllr English of the Workers & Unemployment Action Group said he was delighted for the proponents of the BID company proposal, who comprise a mix of business people from the town as well as Tipperary Chamber CEO Michelle Aylward and Clonmel Town Team chairman Noel Buckley.
“The proponents have done a lot of work over the past few years to get this over the line. This 85% vote in favour of the BID proposal is a resounding 'yes' for the BID proponents. It's a real clap on the back for the team.”
He said he will be supporting the BID company proposal when its brought before the county council meeting on June 8 for approval and will encourage his fellow councillors to support the proposal.
Deputy Michael Murphy said the strong vote in favour of the BID proposal was a clear signal that businesses in Clonmel want to take a proactive role in shaping the future of the town.
“This is about collaboration, ambition and creating a stronger trading environment that benefits everyone who lives, works and visits here.
“I want to pay tribute to all involved. A BID is ultimately about local businesses investing in their own future. It gives Clonmel a dedicated structure to drive promotion, events, improvements and innovation in a way that complements the work already being done and helps the town reach its full potential,” the TD added.
Some allegations were made locally in relation to the vote in recent days by at least one representative, who believes the Clonmel BID is ‘totally discredited’. Proponents for the BID declined to comment on the allegations.