Two Moray businessmen calling for an end to their involvement in Elgin’s Business Improvement District (Bid) organisation will meet with its bosses this week.
Mark Watson and David Cairns are standing against the “unfair” way the organisation was created in 2009.
Although supermarket giant Tesco was outwith the boundary lines to become a member of Bid when it was first set up, it has been included in the revised perimeter ahead of the organisation’s renewal ballot next month.
Elections are due to be held in November, and the weight of each member’s vote is dependent on the square footage and rateable value of their business.
Funeral director Mr Watson and newsagent Mr Cairns – who has already won a court appeal against paying his levies to the scheme – are disputing Tesco’s inclusion in the re-election voting map, and have accused bosses of “gerrymandering” the process.
Their complaints were discussed at a Bid board meeting last week, prompting bosses to agree to meet the pair this week.
Last night Mr Watson, owner of William Watson Funeral Directors, said: “The only honourable thing that can come from this is that Bid leave Tesco out of the map because what they are trying to do now is manipulate the vote for the cause to be included in the map.”
Mr Cairns said: “It seems that where we differ is over the fact that Bids became constitutional against a democratic consensus.
“We say that Bid is not and can never be democratic whilst such blatant gerrymandering of boundaries goes on.
“The Bid’s board seem to want to stress that they are only trying to do the best for the town, I’m not disagreeing.
“I disagree strongly with how successful they tell us they have been.”
Mr Cairns claimed there were too many think-tanks in Elgin and not enough thinkers, adding: “Bid seems to have turned a self-congratulatory Gentlemen’s Social Club, with theatre and wine.
“That’s all very well, but why do they want the rest of us to pay for it?”
Elgin Bid Manager, Gill Neil, said: “It was agreed to offer to meet Mr Watson and Mr Cairns to discuss all their queries fully.
“This offer would extend to any business who wishes to discuss the Bid.
“We take the concerns of our members very seriously and the Bid is determined to continue to strengthen the town centre and provide best value for our partners.”