Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I have more than one address in the BID area?

Each eligible business rate has a vote and therefore if you have more than one property in the BID area you will receive multiple ballot papers. This is not an error and you will be able to vote for each of the business rates you are responsible for.

What happens if I move into or leave the area during the term of the BID?

The BID levy will be payable on 1st April of each year and the responsible party at that date will be liable for the payment for the year. By taking this approach it will keep the collection fees to a minimum and protects the BID Company from potential cash flow issues.

Will the Council pay the levy as well?

If Worthing has a successful YES vote then all business rate payers will contribute. Worthing Borough Council does have properties in the BID area and so would be liable to the levy on these premises.

How can I become a board member for the WorthingBID?

Anyone who is contributing to the BID will be eligible to stand for a board position. There will be an election of officers at the first AGM if the BID gains a YES vote.

Why are business owners given a lower levy for vacant properties when the value of their properties will potentially rise being in a BID area?

There have been a lot of comments about this and given the 2007 budget where the 50% business rate relief for vacant properties has been removed the Worthing Town Centre Initiative are reviewing this. From April 2008 the owner of a property will pay the full business rates and so it seems appropriate for the BID contribution to change in line.

When will I know the result of the ballot?

The ballot result will be available by 10.00am on 6th July 2007 and all businesses eligible to vote will be informed in writing by 13th July 2007.

How can I ensure the council will not reduce its level of service if a BID is agreed?

The Town Centre Initiative have baseline agreements that outline the current services and budget allocations from Worthing Borough Council, West Sussex County Council and Sussex Police within the BID area. These baselines will be regularly reviewed to ensure that the BID continues to provide additional services.

I already pay business rates; why can't these be used to deliver these benefits?

Business rates are a national tax which Worthing Borough Council collects on behalf of central government. This money is then distributed via central government throughout the country with a large percentage being used for education and roads. If successful the BID levy is transferred directly to the Town Centre Initiative to invest into the BID business plan objectives; none of these funds can be used outside of the BID boundary.

Who decided on the priorities for the BID fund?

The business plan has been written following consultation with the Business community and shoppers' in Worthing. The objectives set are achievable and measurable so that the businesses can monitor the success of the BID. At present the business plan is still in draft and this will be consulted upon during the BID communication process to ensure that it meets the needs of the business community. Businesses contributing towards the BID can change the priorities of the business plan with a majority vote at any time.

How is the money collected?

The money will be collected by Worthing Borough Council with the business rates but the levy is ring-fenced and sent directly to the Town Centre Initiative. The money is kept locally and spent locally. The date of the first invoice will be April 2008 which allows time for the BID contribution to be included into 2008/9 budgets.

Will all businesses in the Town Centre contribute towards the BID?

There is a defined area for the BID. All businesses in this area with a rateable value of more than £10,000 will have the opportunity to vote on the BID and then if the vote is successful will contribute an additional levy of 1% of their rateable value towards the BID. Businesses with a rateable value of less than £10,000, developers and building owners can make a voluntary contribution if they wish to be involved with this exciting development.

Do BIDs have to be in town centres?

Although most BIDs are currently in town centres, it is anticipated that in future more and more BIDs will be developed in non-centres, whether they are industrial estates, business parks or Area Travel Plan Partnerships.

What are the key differences for BIDs in the UK?

In the United States and South Africa the BID levy is usually a tax on property owners, whereas the English legislation allows only for the BID levy to be imposed on business ratepayers, as occupiers of property. This does not preclude property owners making voluntary contributions to the BID.

Where did BIDs come from?

The first BID (or Business Improvement Area, as they are known in Canada) was established in Toronto in 1970, and BIDs reached the United States a few years later with the formation of the Downtown Development District in New Orleans in 1975. Since then, BIDs have spread throughout Canada and the United States and South Africa as well as to New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Jamaica, Serbia, and Albania. There are now around 1000 BIDs worldwide, approximately half of them in the United States.