The VIOW board met on Tuesday 17 June for a decisive session to finalise and ratify the BID 3 levy structure ahead of the 30 June submission deadline. A full board was in attendance, with one apology, and our BID and regulatory adviser joined to answer questions directly. Here is a summary of what was discussed and decided.
BID 3 Levy Structure Ratified
Following a thorough and constructive discussion, the board reviewed the range of stepped structures developed through the consultation, alongside an inflation-adjusted baseline for the original flat rate. There was clear, shared agreement that the levy needs to increase from its current level — broadly unchanged for around a decade — to fund a DMO capable of making a meaningful, measurable difference to the Island’s visitor economy.
A proposal to apply a cap to the single highest levy payer was tabled and debated. On grounds of fairness and consistency, and following advice from our regulatory adviser, the cap was not supported and was set aside. The board then adopted the standard stepped structure, with no cap, as the framework for BID 3. The resolution was carried by 10 votes to 3, with one abstention. The council’s board representative voted against and asked that affordability concerns be recorded.
Minimum Payment and Entry Threshold
The board agreed to remove the minimum payment floor, so that no business pays more than its sector rate, while retaining the existing entry threshold as the fairest approach at the lower end and to preserve flexibility for any future ballot. An annual inflationary uplift (RPI or CPI) will apply for each year of the five-year term. These changes were carried unanimously.
Member Benefits
The board confirmed that fundamental member benefits will be retained, while agreeing that the structure of voluntary contributions and member benefits needs a full overhaul to reflect current-day costs and expectations. We are also exploring a new Island-wide crime-reporting system, which may be made available to levy payers as a member benefit following early discussions with the Island’s police service.
Marketing and Festival Activity
There was encouraging news on marketing and content. The Visit Isle of Wight video is being shown at the festival, and agreement has been reached to capture social content across the weekend, including interviews with artists and visitors about their experience of the Island. Early, informal discussions have begun about staging an Island expo at the festival next year — the green shoots of a developing partnership.
What’s Next / Dates to Note
- BID 3 business plan to be drafted and shared with the board by email
- BID 3 proposal submitted to Isle of Wight Council — 30 June (hard deadline)
- Isle of Wight Council committee vote on the BID 3 ballot — 22 July
- Further board meeting to be held after the council meeting to review feedback
Dominic Wray, CEO | Steven Wells, Vice Chair