THE latest public meeting to discuss the proposed Business Improvement District had a 'note of cynicism', according to a member of the project's steering group.

Around 25 people attended the meeting in the White Hart Hotel last week to discuss the scheme and how it could benefit businesses on the periphery of the town.

There were several businesspeople who raised objections to the idea of a mixed BID scheme, which as well as including the town centre, would also include businesses in the town, stretching from the Exeter Road Industrial Estate to the opposite end of Okehampton.

It also looks to include Okehampton Hamlets and businesses near to the town, such as the Manor House Hotel.

George Mills, who runs PG Conversions in the Exeter Road Industrial Estate, said: 'What upsets me is that even if this scheme is voted in, payment is mandatory, even if I vote against it.'

Chair of the BID steering group Kay Bickley said: 'The reason we are including the estates at this stage is that some of the town's biggest issues like the redundancies last year have taken place at these estates.

'It's important we engage with the estates because businesses are struggling and we are in a recession, but we are in it together.

'It is important to look at strategies together to increase footfall, increase profit and reduce overheads.'

Ian Courtenay, a member of the group, said: 'There has been a different tone tonight at the meeting, and it has been very interesting.

'My interest in the BID is that I thought that sounds interesting. It's a genuine, open listening process where everyone has their say.

'There has been a note of cynicism tonight. Maybe that is because people have got the wrong end of the stick about what this scheme is about. Maybe it is just a measure of how difficult things are for businesses at the moment.

'If the outcome is that the vote says nobody wants the scheme, that is fine. But one of the things we will ask is, will it make a difference?

'The central purpose is that the BID is about businesses in Okehampton. We are just people who think the BID is interesting and could be a good thing for the town. We are going to give it a go, and have a look at it.'

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.

The Okehampton BID is being spearheaded by a steering group of six local businesspeople in conjunction with the Devon Renaissance (DR) Company.

A BID can only be formed following a consultation period and a ballot in which businesses vote on a BID proposal or business plan for the area.

The vote is open to all businesses within the proposed BID area which are eligible to pay the levy.

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.

If the BID was successful, the levy money would be collected by the borough council and would be paid into a ring-fenced BID account.

The ballot is scheduled to take place in January 2013, with the earliest start point for the BID being February 2013 should it get voted through.