Proposed Tourism Business Improvement District for Lochaber
A ballot is to be held on the proposal of the Living Lochaber BID Steering Group to introduce a Tourism Business Improvement District (BID) for Lochaber.
Ballot papers will be sent to those eligible to vote on Thursday 31 October 2013 for return to them by no later than 5 pm on Thursday 12 December 2013.
Persons eligible to vote in the ballot will be those who, as at Thursday, 3 October 2013, were the eligible non-domestic ratepayers within the geographical area of the proposed BID. The living Lochaber BID area covers Ward 12 (Caol and Mallaig) and Ward 22 (Fort William and Ardnamurchan) of The Highland Council.
The BID arrangements and proposals are described in detail in the BID Business Plan. This will be issued along with ballot papers. BID, please contact the BID proposer (Living Lochaber BID, West Highland College UHI, Carmichael Way, Fort William, PH33 6FF, by email helen@livinglochaber.co.uk or Tel 07771 821 975) Alternatively, information on the BID is available from http://www.livinglochaber.co.uk/.
If you require any information on the conduct of the ballot please contact Cheryl Maciver, by email election@highland.gov.uk or Tel 01463 702945
A Business Improvement District (BID) is a partnership between a local authority and the local business community to develop projects and services that will benefit the trading environment within the boundary of a clearly defined commercial area, where businesses have voted to invest collectively in local improvements which will benefit the local economy. BIDs should not be seen as a substitute for central and local government investment, but rather an additional investment to strengthen an area’s economic outlook with the aim of increasing returns to those businesses that are paying for the improvements on a basis agreed by them.
BIDs are developed, managed and paid for by the business sector through an additional levy calculated on the non domestic rates valuation. Businesses within the proposed BID area must vote in favour before the BID can be established. The interests of both large and small businesses are protected through a voting system that requires a majority in the numerical votes cast and the rateable value of votes cast. BIDs have a maximum current duration of 5 years, and will either be dissolved at the end of its term or go back to a vote to be renewed by a further ballot of all eligible businesses.