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FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Please find below a list of frequently asked questions in relation to the North Notts BID. If you have any further queries then please contact the BID team who will be happy to help.

North Notts BID is a not-for-profit company, limited by guarantee. Pending a successful second ballot, the BID will continue to work across the district of Bassetlaw. It is run for local businesses by local businesses and is 100% business managed and controlled.

A private sector-led Strategic Board oversees the BID’s operations. Our governance procedures were audited by British BIDs and we achieved full accreditation in 2019.

They have been based on ideas put forward by our BID members, board members and partners/intermediaries through surveys and meetings.

We will obtain accurate local data on footfall, dwell time, crime statistics, media coverage,LoyalFree app usage, online training courses accessed, workshops and training attended. By gathering and benchmarking data at the start of the new BID term we will be able to demonstrate the effectiveness of the projects and services that we deliver.

Based on local data and other key BID performance targets/activities, North Notts BID will also establish a set of key performance indicators (KPIs). These will ensure the North Notts BID is accountable to our BID members and that its performance is regularly monitored in a structured way by the North Notts BID Strategic Board.

The BID Operations Team will issue regular updates (minimum quarterly) via newsletter, email, visits, phone calls and our annual review.

Our performance will be monitored regularly by our private sector-led BID Board. Whilst not a legal requirement, we made the decision to have fully audited accounts so that our BID members can feel reassured that their money is in safe hands.

Just like a political election, there is no minimum turnout required during the 28-day postal ballot. If more than 50% of those businesses voting (both in terms of total number and overall rateable value) vote ‘yes’ the area will maintain its BID status.

All eligible businesses (with a business rateable value of £12,000 and above) will be required to contribute to the BID, even if a business voted ‘no’ or did not vote.

The money collected will be ring-fenced and managed by the BID Board, made up of business representatives across the district, for sole use by the BID to deliver the projects set out in the BID business plan.

Very simply, the projects set out in this BID Business Plan will not go ahead and all existing projects and services including the CCTV with ANPR, free town centre WiFi, maintenance support service, DISC crime reporting system, digital radios and showcase events will cease on 31 August 2022.

Much like an election, there is no minimum turnout for a BID. There is no legal requirement to vote.

If the vote is ‘yes’, any person, registered company, charity or non-profit making organisation that is a business occupier or leaseholder of a business premises with a rateable value of £12,000 or above within the BID area will pay the levy.

This applies to both occupied and non-occupied business premises. Property landlords only become liable where the property is empty and a lease does not exist.

Hospitals and hospices will be exempt, as will groups such as the Scouts and Sea Cadets that have no paid employees and their source of income is through paid-for subscriptions.

Businesses with a rateable value of £12,000 or less are exempt from paying the levy and are not entitled to vote at ballot. They can choose to join as a voluntary member to access the projects and services but still have no voting rights. No discounts will be applied to the BID levy.

The amount you pay will be 1% of your individual business rateable value (not your business rates).

The Government announced that the ratings re-evaluation due in 2020 has been delayed until 2023. Levy bills will be based on the listings that came into force on 1st April 2017 and are subject to change when the ratings evaluation takes place in 2023. You can check your rateable value at: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/valuation-office-agency.

No, BIDs cannot replace existing or proposed public services provided by bodies such as the council, police and others. In this way, the BID only improves current standards and does not subsidise or replace them. Baseline Services Agreements will be in place that set out the services the public sector currently provides and will deliver during the five-year BID term. This ensures the BID is only delivering additional value to the area.

The BID will cover a five-year period between 1st September 2022 and 31st August 2027.

There are around 330 established and highly successful BIDs operating across the UK – and 95% of BIDs are re-elected by businesses after their first five-year term.

Their experiences have resulted in the following key benefits:

  • Increased customer footfall
  • A more buoyant local economy
  • Reduces individual business costs through joint projects
  • Physical improvements to the area involved
  • A united business voice on key issues
  • Businesses being more involved in community projects
  • A reduction in crime
  • Builds local pride in the area

Yes – including sponsorship, a voluntary BID membership and voluntary contributions from businesses, landlords, landowners and organisations that are not covered by the BID arrangements. We will endeavour to secure additional funding to enhance the offer to our BID members.

As defined in national BID regulations, BIDs use their local authority to collect the levy. You will receive an invoice from Bassetlaw District Council on behalf of North Notts BID on an annual basis, for the chargeable period 1 September – 31 August, for the five-year term of the BID, commencing 1 September 2022.

The BID will pay a 3% fee for this collection service and an Operating Agreement with the local authority will be in place to monitor the administering and collection of the BID levy.

The BID levy is ring-fenced in its entirety and transferred directly to the BID Company. The BID levy is payable in one annual instalment.

Yes. Both the district and county councils will pay BID levy on properties, car parks and premises within the BID area for which they are liable to pay non-domestic rates.

All businesses within the BID boundary, with a rateable value of £12,000 or more, will be entitled to vote during the 28-day postal ballot.

BID projects, costs and timescales can be altered, subject to approval from the North Notts BID Strategic Board and providing they fall under what is outlined within the BID business plan and the necessary resources are available. In this way the BID can be responsive and flexible. Any change to the boundary or levy rate would require an alteration ballot.

No, the BID levy will remain the same throughout the five-year BID term, September 2022 – August 2027.

It will not increase in line with inflation and any changes in rateable values during the BID term will be reflected in the invoice for the BID levy the following year.

When a business premises is vacated part way through the billing year, no refund will be given. When a business enters the ratings list, a BID levy invoice will be raised, apportioned on a daily basis and will apply from the effective date of occupation.

The BID levy is payable on the whole rating assessment, irrespective if part or all of it is empty. In the case of empty properties, the BID levy will be collected at 100% from either the owner or leaseholder (if an occupational lease exists) except in cases where insolvency proceedings have commenced.

If you would like to find out the rateable value of your business, please refer to your rates bill or check it at: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/valuation-office-agency.