PRESSURE was put on Hexham Business Improvement District manager Helen Grayshan this week to hold another AGM in the town, after businesses were excluded from attending the first meeting.

The county council has now called for a more inclusive approach from the BID, following a backlash from business owners who were affected.

Cabinet member for the economy at Northumberland County Council, Coun. Richard Wearmouth, spoke out following criticism of a hastily introduced membership policy adopted by the BID board last month, which barred critics of the scheme, despite them paying a levy which can range from £200 to £10,000 a year.

To receive an invitation to the meeting, levy payers had to apply to become members.

However, many came forward to say they were not made aware of the change, their applications had been rejected, or had not been dealt with in time for the November 8 meeting.

Coun. Wearmouth, who attended the AGM, admitted he had been surprised by the turn-out.

“A number of businesses that would liked to have had the chance to vote did not get the opportunity to participate,” he said.

“In light of this, the council urges the BID to consider a re-run of the AGM in the form of an Extraordinary General Meeting.

“I have written to the BID team to make clear the council’s view.”

County councillor for Hexham East, Cath Homer, added: “Considering the BID was supposed to be created by the businesses, for the businesses, I do feel this membership scheme is not the right course of action.

BID manager Helen Grayshan said there was nothing to be gained from an EGM for business owners who questioned the validity of the original ballot or levy payments.

She added: “The contents of Coun. Wearmouth’s letter will be considered by the board in due course.”

* One of the BID’s flagship initiatives – festive light projections on to some of the town’s buildings – was due to launch today, but has not gone ahead due to ‘technical difficulties’.