Spotlight

YCBID: Non-Payment Hearing ADJOURNED

Nigel June 7, 2022 Scarborough Borough Council

YCBID: Non-Payment Hearing ADJOURNED

– an “In My View” article by NIGEL WARD, updating readers on the progress of the on-going campaign to abolish the Yorkshire Coast BID.

~~~~~

I am now able to update readers – especially YCBID Levy-payer refuseniks – who have been enquiring as to whether or not I have received a response to my Open Letter to SBC CEO Mike GREENE (“Bid Farewell to the BID, Mike” [pub. 05/06/22]).

Unsurprisingly, Mr GREENE has not responded directly to my email, but it is now clear that he must have satisfied himself that I am correct in pointing out that the Council’s position is indeed precarious – as the following email now confirms:

The hearing at West Riding Magistrates’ Court scheduled for Thursday 9th June 2022 has been ADJOURNED.

A Town Hall insider informs me that this decision was reached following discussions yesterday with Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

I can only conclude that my suspicions regarding potential irregularities in the VAT accountancy status of the Levy collection have proven to be (shall we say?) “worthy of further examination”.

Hopefully, elected members will be able to examine the details of Officers’ (shall we say?) “misinterpretation” of the SBC/YCBID Operating Agreement in the public forum of an Extraordinary Meeting of Full Council on a date in the near future, soon to be announced.