Keswick became the first rural business improvement district (BID) in the country, as a result of the ballot of the business community in September 2005.
Private sector business people came forward and a company limited by guarantee was incorporated (April 2006) to deliver the business plan on which the vote was held. Keswick Business Improvement District Limited has been established with a 15 place Board of Directors, which represent a cross section of the business community within the town.
Every business rate payer of £2,900 or more, within the boundary of Keswick are members of the BID and are required by legislation to pay a 1% levy based on their business rateable value. The levy is collected by the local authority as the collection agency on behalf of the BID Company. The BID Company and the Directors are responsible for the effective delivery of the projects within the Keswick BID Business Plan.
A reference group of business people was created to steer the pilot stage leading up to the ballot and this temporary group made decisions on the geographical area of the BID, the levy amount and acted as a reference point whilst the business plan was being written.
The projects detailed within the 5 year business plan are a result of consulting the businesses in Keswick and the ideas that they put forward. In total, over 60 individual project ideas were originally identified by business people, these had to be reduced to reflect what was achievable and possible within the 5 year period. Businesses were asked to rank the projects in order of importance and then a final list was drawn up based on the ranking and the budget and additional funding available.
Full details of the projects and the Business Plan are available on the website. Voluntary membership is encouraged and any business under the £2,900 rateable value or any property owner may also become a member of the Business Improvement District by pay a voluntary contribution.
For further information please contact becx@keswickbid.co.uk; write to Keswick Business Improvement District Ltd c/o 50 Main Street, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5JS or telephone 077866 78283.
A copy of BIDS AG EGM can be viewed here...
The BIDs business plan can now be viewed....
Attached is the mid-term evaluation report...
Operating Agreement
Dated
Between
(1) NAME OF COUNCIL Allerdale Borough Council; and
(2) NAME OF BID Keswick BID registered as a company limited...
Baseline agreements will be approved and signed by the Board of Directors after the establishment of the Company Limited by Guarantee and prior to...
BID ARRANGEMENTS
1. Definitions
Definitions in these arrangements are as per The Business Improvement Districts (England) Regulations...
The Companies Acts 1985 and 1989
Company limited by Guarantee
Articles of Association
of
Keswick Business Improvement District Limited...
The Companies Acts 1985 to 1989
Company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital
Memorandum of Association
of
Keswick Business...
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