THE man behind the formation of the controversial Dartmouth Business Improvement District says a new ballot must be held if the project is to survive.

Former BID chairman Paul Reach claims the current board of directors failed to rectify the levy error and now business owners must be given a fresh vote.

His remarks come ahead of next week's annual meeting of the BID when a new board of directors will be elected to take the project forward.

Mr Reach said the meeting was the last chance that members would have to scrutinise the activities of the board for another year. He said: 'There are things that can be done to get the BID back on track, but only if levy payers become members of the BID and make their views known at the meeting and elect a board with the skills and commitment to deliver a long term business plan.'

Mr Reach, who started the BID project in June 2012, said that although he was no longer a member of the BID team, he remained personally committed to its success.

He said he had been disappointed at what progress the BID had made in its first year and after remaining silent for the last six months he now felt he must make his view known.

Mr Reach, who is about to take over again as chairman of Dartmouth Business Forum, made it clear he was speaking personally and not on behalf of businesses in the town.

He said he believed the mishandling of the BID levy error was one of the issues the board needed to address as soon as possible.

'Firstly they must give the BID legitimacy by holding a variation ballot,' he said.

'This would include a revised business plan, reduced lower levy rates and reduced budget of £143,000 per year. This will require another postal ballot costing £2,500 but it is better to have a lower budget and the support of businesses than the dissent we have now. The current board have handled this badly and should have responded seven months ago, as I am sure this would have significantly reduced the number of summonses sent out over the last month.'

Mr Reach said that under BID rules the five-year business plan could not be changed without legal authority.

BID's annual meeting takes place in the Guildhall's Clifton Room, starting at 5pm on Thursday, March 26. The town council has been asked to reaffirm its support for the BID at its next meeting on Monday, April 13.