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BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS WORKING GROUP PAPER 04/09
OUTLINE BID GUIDANCE DOCUMENT

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Introduction

This paper is intended as a starting point for discussion so that by the end of the meeting an outline is agreed which will allow Secretariat to produce a rough draft guidance document for tabling at the next meeting. The paper has been put together with reference to the ODPM BID guidance document, with amendments made that were deemed suitable in the light of the remit of the group and other issues it may be helpful to address.

Outline document

• Introduction: Ministerial Foreword

This section could set out the aim of the guidance, who it is targeted it, and Ministerial objectives behind the BID policy.

• Part One: Background to BIDs

Could provide information on how BIDs originated, work undertaken to date in Scotland and information on the required legislation and legislative process.

• Part Two: Setting up a BID

Information on how to form a BID partnership, how to draw up the BID proposal, how to arrange the vote and all other administrative requirements necessary for a BID project to progress.

• Part Three: Operating and Maintaining a BID

Information on ways in which a BID can be managed, and advice on renewing the BID mandate after the initial BID period.

• Part Four: Technical and Administrative Issues

Information on issues related to the collection, administration and enforcement of the BID levy, on issues of liability and details of voting procedures for the BID ballot. Could also provide information on the provision of baseline services by a local authority.

• Part Five: BIDs in rural areas

Section setting out any ideas the group has gathered on how to modify BIDs so that the policy can work in sparsely populated areas. Could also cover the various rural development projects underway in Scotland.

• Part Six: Involvement of landlords

Depending on the view the Group reach on this issue this section could give information on how to involve landlords in a BID project. If the Group recommend to Ministers that legislation is drafted to involve landlords formally this section may not be necessary.

• Annex A: Additional Sources of Funding

Could gives details regarding different sources of funding which may be made available for BID projects.

• Annex B: Case Studies of BID Pathfinder Projects

Depending on whether Pathfinders are progressed this section could provide information on the BID Pathfinder projects (why the areas were chosen, the work involved, the businesses covered, the aim of the project and the benefits gained).

• Annex C: Examples of BIDs from around the world

This section could help to stimulate ideas by providing innovative examples of BIDs from around the world. A cross-section of all the different types of BID projects could be covered, from small projects tackling issues such as graffiti reduction, to large scale projects intended to promote or develop an entire area.

• Annex D: Regeneration work in Scotland

Based on paper from Scottish Executive Planning Team, this section can cover all other regeneration work/projects/policies in Scotland so that BID project boards can target their developments effectively.

• Annex D: Contact Details and further information

Contact details (and web links) of other organisations able to provide advice on different aspects of developing a BID proposal.