Kirkcaldy BID

President John welcomed 30 people to Tuesday's meeting. He then read a warm thank you letter from our Euroscholar, newly back from her visit to the European Parliament. Ron McGill issued an interesting request for original soup menus fit for publication. Treasurer Bill Stewart was delighted to report on a successful fishing holiday when he caught a Blue Marlin of 891lbs which took  5 hours to reel in. Ann Mitchell reported on the high standard of the Rotary Young Musician of the Year competition at the recent District round. Our weekly charity raffle this Tuesday raised £31

The meeting's guest speaker was Bill Harvey of Kircaldy's BID Company. Bill explained that BIDs ( Business Improvement Districts) originated in Canada and there are now 1500 in the UK. The Kirkcaldy one has 466 businesses as members, a board of 10 members and 1 full time and 2 part time staff. Funding is by a levy on members.  A BID is not part of the local council and has no statutory standing or duties. Nevertheless Bill was able to illustrate the many ways in which his organisation works to assist the businesses within the clearly geographically defined area of central Kirkcaldy. The car parking question has been a high profile issue in which he has been heavily involved. Kirkcaldy is one of only four towns in Scotland to have received a Safer Shopping award.  Rotarian David MacLauchlan thanked Bill for his enthusiastic and informative talk