COUNCILLORS have given their backing to the town’s Business Improvement District (BID) company for another five years.

Dunfermline Delivers was set up in June 2009 and there will be a ballot of its members, including Fife Council, in the summer to see if it continues. 

Financed by around 400 firms and groups in the town centre who pay a levy on business rates to fund improvements to the area, it organises the annual fireworks display, Christmas lights switch-on, food and craft weekend and the Outwith Festival. 

Dunfermline Delivers is also involved in everything from floral enhancements, town centre wi-fi and shopfront improvements to Pub Watch, taxi marshals and the purple flag scheme.

It’s approaching the end of its second five-year term and proposes an increase in the levy, with a potential funding model of £313,000 a year, and an extended BID area to include the former Pilmuir Works, Carnegie Leisure Centre and the Carnegie Birthplace Museum. 

Convener of the City of Dunfermline area committee, Councillor Helen Law, said: “The BID has proved a huge success for the area so I’m delighted that members have given their backing to Dunfermline Delivers for another five years.

“Should the BID re-ballot be successful, it would signal clear intent from the business community to be fully involved in driving the future of Dunfermline town centre and show that there is confidence in Dunfermline Delivers to continue to deliver a high level of services to BID members. 

“I hope local traders will join with us as we move forward for the benefit of the town to make Dunfermline the thriving, vibrant place we know it can be.”

A new business plan has been developed and includes performance indicators which Dunfermline Delivers would be expected to meet. 

They include achieving business and visitor satisfaction rates of 70 per cent or above, maintaining footfall levels and raising £30,000 of external funds every year. 

A council report warned: “Should the renewal ballot for Dunfermline Delivers prove unsuccessful, there will be a significant gap in local economic development provision within the town centre. 

“In addition, a number of high-profile events, including the annual fireworks, Christmas lights/winter festival and the Outwith Festival would be under threat.”

The ballot takes place between May 9 and June 20.