BID ballot launches

Salisbury BID has launched its renewal ballot to secure a further five-year term.

Businesses who are eligible to vote in the BID ballot will receive ballot papers today through the post.

The ballot paper is bright yellow, so it’s easily identified.

In accordance with the Business Improvement Districts (England) Regulations 2004, the BID is required to hold a ballot to enable it to continue its work for a second five-year term.

Businesses have until 28 February to cast their vote and return the ballot paper to Electoral Reform Services.

The ballot result will be announced on 1 March.

Keith Hanson, Chair of Salisbury BID and Director of Personnel Placements, said: “We’ve achieved so much in our first five-year term, especially in the last 12 months, when we’ve represented businesses in the response and recovery of the city following the March 2018 incident.

“We’ve taken on board what businesses want to see more of and the issues that need addressing, and we hope businesses will vote to keep the BID to enable us to continue the good work we do.

“There’s no alternative organisation that will carry out the services and projects outlined in our business plan, so I urge businesses to vote yes to keep the BID.”

Salisbury BID was established in 2014 and is a not-for-profit organisation. It’s funded by more than 500 businesses within the ring-road that have a rateable value of £10,000 or more.

The services and projects the BID deliver are not statutory services and are in addition to those services already provided by the local councils.

The BID has funded initatives and delivered an array of projects over the past five years including:

- CCTV funding
- Salisbury Gift Card
- Cost saving schemes
- Floral displays
- Marketing and promotion
- Salisbury umbrellas
- Responsive cleaning service
- Salisbury Independent group support
- Support fot PubWatch and ShopWatch
- Street appearance work

The BID is the business voice and are recognised as the business representative with the city partner.

The BID’s business plan proposal (2019 – 2024) was launched in January, with the three themes for their future work outlined as ‘Welcoming & Enhancing’, ‘Promoting & Supporting’ and ‘Representing & Influencing’.

The business plan was formed following an extensive consultation with the BID’s business members back in the summer.

Over the five-years, an additional £2 million will be invested into making the city centre a better place to do business.

The BID is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors, all of whom are BID levy-paying businesses within the city. All BID members are entitled to apply to become a BID Director.

Find about more about the BID ballot here.