A BID (Business Improvement District) is an arrangement whereby businesses get together to decide what improvements they want to make in their trading environment, how they will manage these and what it will cost them. This all goes into a business plan which is voted on by all those who would have to contribute. The BID lasts for five years and must be able to demonstrate how a BID benefits the businesses that have funded it.

No. A BID is a scheme developed in accordance with the Business improvement District (England) regulations 2004, approved by the Government, set  out in a legal framework within which BIDs must operate, including the way in which the levy is charged and collected and how the ballot is conducted. This creates a fund to develop initiatives and services to improve the trading environment in which they operate.

There are currently more than 340 BIDs now operating in towns and cities across the UK. Surrey has 13 BID towns. Godalming is surrounded by the BID towns of Cranleigh, Farnham and Guildford. All the BIDs in Surrey that have operated for an initial five-year term have been voted in again by their local businesses.

The BID can be proposed by any non-domestic ratepayer, property owner, local authority or other stakeholder with an interest in the BID area.

In Godalming, there was a consultation and business engagement process between February and August 2023 where businesses were visited in person, sent newsletters explaining the proposed BID and invited to input via surveys and workshops. In September 2023, all eligible businesses in Godalming town centre received a copy of the BID five year business plan and were asked to vote on the creation of a BID via a postal ballot. In October 2023, ballot papers were issued by post with the ballot closing on 31st October 2023. No minimum turnout threshold exists but the BID proposal must clear two hurdles.

1. A simple majority of those voting must be in favour.

2. The aggregate of the rateable value of premises of those voting in favour must exceed the aggregate of the rateable value of premises voting against.

In Godalming, 69% voted ‘yes’ by number and 63% voted ‘yes’ by rateable value.

Every eligible business in the BID boundary area will pay the BID levy which is calculated as 2% of the rateable value of its premises. The BID levy is fixed for the full term and will not be subject to variation by the annual rate of inflation. An annual bill is issued for the period 1 April to 31 March.

The person or organisation liable to pay the business rates for the property is liable to pay the BID levy, if the property has a rateable value of £5,000 or more. Where a property is occupied, this will be the occupier. For empty hereditaments, this will normally be the leaseholder or the property owner.

Under BID regulations, Waverley Borough Council is the billing authority responsible for collection of the Godalming BID levy. The levy income is collected each year in a single instalment, kept in a separate ring- fenced account and transferred to Godalming BID on the basis outlined in an Operating Agreement. Waverley Borough Council charges a collection fee for this service. Godalming BID is also charged summons and liabilities costs that are incurred when chasing non-payers. Provision for these costs is made in the annual budget. Collection of the BID levy carries the same enforcement weight as the collection of business rates.

The funds collected through the levy can only be used to pay for BID services (and the Council’s costs in collecting the levy). Through an Operating Agreement, the Council holds the funds received in the BID revenue account and makes payments to the BID Company to pay for the BID services provided by the Company. You will receive details of how the levy is being spent annually.

Once balloted, the term of the BID runs for five years. The BID must seek a renewal ballot to carry on its activities into a further term.

The Godalming BID Company Limited is a not-for-profit organisation that is the accountable body for delivery of the Godalming BID. A Board of Directors runs the company, formed from levy-paying businesses representing a broad mix and size of businesses, from office-based to retailer. Any levy-paying business owner can become a company member and put themselves forward to join the Board. Board membership is voluntary and unpaid.

The Treasurer and Board of Directors sign off on the agreed BID expenditure. The Company Accountants manage the bookkeeping and prepare end-of-year accounts. Following the terms of the Operating Agreement, Waverley Borough Council oversees the activities and budget via quarterly meetings and audits the BID accounts. The breakdown of projects and costs is published for levy payers annually at the end of each BID year.

Like any good business plan, specific key performance indicators (KPIs) are set and performance is monitored against the KPIs determined by the BID board. The BID Company is answerable to the businesses that pay the BID levy and will be required to monitor and inform its members on its progress.

The Godalming BID is all about collaboration – by businesses, for businesses. If you’re a levy-paying business, there are several ways to play a more active role in shaping and supporting what we do.

Join a project or task group
If you have particular expertise or an interest area, we’d love to hear from you. Task groups meet occasionally to help develop and deliver specific projects.

Consider a more formal or ongoing role
Some business owners and managers choose to take on a more regular voluntary commitment, such as joining the Board when vacancies arise or becoming a Company Member. These roles are unpaid but offer a meaningful way to contribute to the BID’s strategic direction.

Apply to become a Company Member
Any levy-paying business can apply to become a member of the Godalming BID Company Ltd (subject to eligibility and Board approval). Members must adhere to the Company’s rules and act in support of its objectives. Membership entitles you to receive company updates, attend general meetings, and vote on BID matters. If you’d like to be considered, please download and complete the Company Membership Form and email it to chair@godalmingbid.co.uk.

For any questions or to express interest in getting involved, please contact info@godalmingbid.co.uk  – we always welcome enthusiastic support from our business community.

No. The BID is legally binding on all eligible business ratepayers in the BID area.

Yes. The result of the BID ballot held in October 2023 was binding on all eligible business ratepayers in the BID area from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2029. This includes persons or organisations who become ratepayers after the date of the ballot.

Yes. Your BID levy is calculated using rateable value and liability terms set out by the BID. The only link between rates and the BID levy is that the levy is collected by the local authority. Once collected, the levy revenue comes directly to the BID to spend on local priorities which are identified by levy payers as important (and therefore detailed in the business plan).

Godalming BID, in line with hundreds of other BIDs around the UK, was established to raise sustainable revenue and to use this to fund targeted improvements in the trading environment that are often not supported by local authority or national government funding.

If you have genuine financial difficulty and are unable to pay, then you should contact Waverley Borough Council at nndr@waverley.gov.uk.

If your enquiry is about payment or the amount you are charged, then you should contact Waverley Borough Council nndr@waverley.gov.uk. If your enquiry is about BID services or anything other than payment you should contact the Godalming BID office info@godalmingbid.co.uk