Commentary on Sections Schedule 2: BRS-BID arrangements
65.Schedule 2 gives certain local authorities power to make arrangements for a new type of Business Improvement District (“BID”) levy, to be known as “BRS-BID” levy. The levy could be imposed in areas where both a BID and BRS exist and would allow for the owners of properties to be involved in the BRS-BID. Under the Local Government Act 2003, property owners can have no formal involvement in BIDs unless their property is empty and not let, although they may choose to make voluntary contributions to the BID.
66.The proceeds from the new BRS-BID levy could either fund the same project as the BID – by providing additional revenues or offsetting the contributions of ratepayers who are liable to both the BID and the BRS – or fund a different project. As for BIDs, a BRS-BID could not be established unless there were a successful ballot on the BRS-BID proposals.