Criteria

The ‘essentials’ for any BID Proposal

Each business case will be viewed on its merits, and individual stakeholders will be free to vote in accordance with their own views. However, those elements of a Business proposal and/or Business Plan which would normally be deemed to be essential are

Business Case - The requirements for a BID must be clearly demonstrated by reference to full consultation and research which should include businesses at local and Head Office level, both of whom should be fully notified at all stages. Local representatives will be able to contribute through their detailed knowledge of the locality. Head Offices should play a distinctive role in contributing specifically to the scale and nature of any BID proposal e.g. The levy amount, any proposed discounts, broad objectives etc. A period for responses to the draft BID proposal from local and Head Offices should be allowed.

Additionality - The services to be provided must be (a) exclusively additional to those already being provided by the Local Authority and other relevant service providers, and (b) relevant to the business community. Evidence will include any baseline agreements which the BID has entered into.

Levy Calculation – The levy should preferably be calculated as a percentage of the rateable value.

Public Sector – The support of the Local Authority should be evidenced by a commitment to the BID proposal. Additional financial support should be clearly identified.

Costs – Assuming that the levy is calculated as a percentage of rateable value (RV), levies of up to and including 1% of RV will be considered favourably. However, it is appreciated that some businesses will have a greater degree of flexibility. Generally, a levy of more than 1% would need to be fully justified as an exceptional case and the reasons for such exception given, such as local circumstances or variations in rateable values between areas. It is generally appreciated that, in some smaller locations where there is a lower distribution of RVs, a levy of 1% may not be sufficient to fund the scale of additional services required. It is generally unlikely, even in smaller locations, that a levy of more than 2% would prove acceptable.

Performance Measurement – The BID levy should be viewed as an investment by businesses, in return for which tangible benefits over the period are expected. Systems of reporting should be detailed. An independent assessment of the performance and impact of the BID should be conducted at least once during each term, with results made available to levy payers.

Discounts – Occupiers of managed shopping/leisure/office centres where additional service charges covering management, security and marketing apply should be subject to a reduction in the levy.

Retail Crime Partnership – The delivery of an effective Retail Crime Partnership should be a central component of any town or city centre BID.

Management – The BID should be business-led and managed, it should be a not-for-profit company, it should be independent of the Local Authority, and be managed through a Board (or similar) which has a majority of business stakeholder representation and which is chaired by a representative from the private sector.

Ballot – BIDs should confirm whether the vote will be taken at local or Head Office level and make arrangements with the ballot holder accordingly. Unless advised otherwise, ballot papers should be sent to the Head Office location.

Notification – Businesses should have been fully engaged in the development of the BID proposal at local and Head Office level. The final BID Proposal and/or Business Plan should be publically available and widely distributed prior to a Notice of Ballot being issued. Head Offices should always be notified of the BID proposal, prior to any Notice of Ballot, with receipt of notification preferably obtained.

Property Owners – It is appreciated that property owners’ participation in BIDs is not a legislative requirement. However, wherever possible, property owners should be engaged in the process and encouraged to support. In addition to any voluntary contributions, the positive support of property owners is preferred.