Business improvement districts
284.Paragraph 31 of schedule 7 extends the duration of certain business improvement district partnerships (BIDs) which operate to deliver local arrangements, as provided for by the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006. That Act sets out a statutory process to initiate a BID, that requires a ballot of affected businesses within the BID area, following consultation on a BID proposal and business plan. BIDs can operate for a maximum of 5 years before a re-ballot.
285.The Act applies an extension to any BID that is in force when the paragraph comes into force and is due to end before 31 March 2021, unless that BID has already held a ballot that has approved its renewal: see subparagraphs (1) and (2). Subparagraph (3) provides that such arrangements are extended to 31 March 2021, including their funding arrangements. In certain circumstances a local authority or the BID partnership can terminate BID arrangements; that possibility is preserved by subparagraph (4).