I WOULD like congratulate all those who worked hard on the successful BID vote (The Press, November 28).

We know from elsewhere that Business Improvement Districts can bring significant benefits, not just to local businesses but to the wider local community.

Through a new one per cent levy on the rateable value of each business premise in the city centre, a new £4 million fund will now be set up.

This fund will enable businesses in York to work together to pay for projects and services. It should help to ensure that businesses thrive and our city centre economy remains competitive.

Examples of projects from the 170-plus BIDs already up and running include funding festivals, shopping offers, promotional campaigns, recycling collections and free parking initiatives.

In York, the new BID chairman has said the focus will be on street cleaning, rubbish collection, safety, the public realm, car parking, Christmas lights, street events and evening economy.

In the coming weeks, I am looking forward to hearing more about these plans and working to ensure that an effective partnership is developed between the York BID, Make it York and City of York Council.

Cllr Keith Aspden, Liberal Democrat, Deputy leader of City of York Council, Heath Moor Drive, Fulford, York