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<p>Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are a proven and effective vehicle for leveraging
private investment and have a significant role to play in high street regeneration.
Their role will be even more important in the recovery phase from the current crisis.</p><p>BID
organisations are advised to work closely with their members, sector bodies and local
authorities in coming to sensible arrangements on charging given the current circumstances.
BIDs or local authorities may want to take legal advice on how they can manage their
BID levy using their existing powers.</p><p>In March, the Government included provisions
within the Coronavirus Act 2020 that enables BIDs to delay any renewal ballots due
to take place before 31 December 2020 until 31 March 2021. This allows businesses
to focus on recovery from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic before deciding
whether to participate in future BID arrangements.</p><p>In addition to this legislation,
the Government made available up to £6.1 million of support to BIDs. The funding has
been delivered to 260 BIDs in England via local authorities, including £53,270.30
paid to Scarborough Borough Council on behalf of the Yorkshire Coast BID, part of
which covers the East Yorkshire constituency.</p><p>We will continue to work closely
with the sector to look at how further we can support BIDs, and the businesses that
contribute to them, during this time.</p>
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