A BALLOT?on a major business plan for Okehampton will be held 'in the near future'.

The steering group behind Okehampton's proposed Business Improvement District is putting the final touches to its plan before a vote on the project.

Businesses in the town centre were originally due to vote on the proposal in January. But the steering team has taken time to ensure it reflects the needs and desires of the 240 Okehampton businesses that have been consulted.

Kay Bickley, chair of the BID steering group, said: 'We want to get the business plan right. We have heard what people want, and we need to reflect that, so that is why it has taken slightly longer than originally laid out.

'We are setting a realistic aim throughout the five-year BID plan. A lot of businesses told us they want the traffic and congestion problem in Okehampton sorted overnight. That is more of a long-term strategy to be worked out by local authorities as opposed to the BID team.

'Our focus is more on publicity and marketing of Okehampton as a town, helping people manage their businesses and setting attainable goals that can benefit the town businesses.

'Something like the events manager, a post created recently by the chamber of trade, could be made sustainable with the BID. The chamber are flying a kite this year to see if it works, but a post like that could become a part of the BID.

'The BID is not an instant fix, or a plaster over a growing hole. It needs to be well thought-out and structured for the long-term to benefit as many businesses as possible.

'We want to help tourism, retail, offices and every kind of business possible in our BID.'

Ian Bailey, chair of Okehampton Chamber of Trade, has discussed the BID with many business people in the town. He feels the proposal has divided the opinions of business people in Okehampton, but the discussion of how to help the town prosper is a valid one.

He said: 'The chamber has given money to the BID, and even if the ballot goes against the BID, we need to discuss things and put it to the businesses of Okehampton.

'I think the difficulty is, if the vote goes through, the levy could be 1.5% on top of business rates, and that is very difficult for a lot of businesses to find at the moment. I can see why people would be against it.

'If the BID does not succeed we need to have alternatives. That is why the chamber has been proactive in appointing the town events manager.

'If the BID goes through, that would absolutely be something we could work on with the BID team to make the position sustainable, because we feel it is something that is very important to Okehampton.'

Before any ballot takes place, the final BID business proposal will be circulated to every business within the BID zone, as well as to local authorities.

To ensure the interests of both large and small businesses are considered the ballot must be won by claiming at least 50% of the vote and by the rateable value majority of those voting for the BID.

The levy money would be collected by the borough council and paid into a ring-fenced BID account.

A BID is a partnership between a local authority and the local business community to develop projects and services that will benefit the trading environment within a set area. It is funded by a levy on the businesses within the BID boundary.

For more information visit the website http://www.okehamptonbid.co.uk">www.okehamptonbid.co.uk or phone 01837 658643.