What is the Business Improvement District (BID) levy?
The BID levy is a charge payable in respect of non-domestic properties in the Business Improvement District area of Aberdare town centre. The first BID Levy demand notice will cover the billing period April 2020 to the end of March 2021. An annual demand notice will be issued every March for the Period April to March until March 2024 when the final demand will cover the period April 2024 to the end of March 2025.
What is Our Aberdare LTD?
Our Aberdare Business Improvement District (BID) Ltd is a non-local authority body and a private company, responsible for providing and managing the Business Improvement District services for Aberdare town centre. The company was established as a result of the outcome of a BID ballot process in February 2020.
Who do I contact with an enquiry about the BID?
If your enquiry is about payment or the amount you are charged then you should contact Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council. However, if your enquiry is about the BID services or anything other than payment you should contact Our Aberdare Ltd via Email: info@ouraberdare.com or telephone: 07947 373489.
What is the Council’s role in the BID?
By law, the Council is the billing authority for any business improvement district in its area which means it is responsible for the collection of BID levies. The Council is not responsible for providing the BID services because these are delivered by the non-local authority body, Our Aberdare Ltd.
Who has to pay the BID levy?
The person or organisation liable to pay the non-domestic rates for the property is liable to pay the BID levy. Where a property is occupied this will be the occupier, for empty properties the person or organisation entitled to occupy the property is liable to pay. This will normally be the leaseholder or the owner.
Do the Council and other public sector bodies pay the BID levy?
Yes. The Council and the other public bodies must pay the levy on properties within the BID area for which they are liable to pay non-domestic rates.
Can I opt out of the BID?
No. The BID is legally binding on the non-domestic ratepayers in the Business Improvement District area, following the successful ballot outcome
How much is collected in BID levies?
Approximately £78,500 per year is collectable through the levy.
What happens to the money collected through the levy?
The funds collected through the levy can only be used to pay for BID services and a percentage of the Council’s costs in collecting the levy. The Council holds the funds before making payment to the BID Body (Our Aberdare Ltd) for it to pay for the services that are provided by the Company.
What do I get for my money?
Our Aberdare Ltd is responsible for providing the BID services. The Our Aberdare BID will invest circa £392,375 received from local businesses between 2020 and 2025 on a comprehensive programme of improvements. In addition, the contributions from businesses will enable us to seek funding from other sources.
The Our Aberdare programme will comprise of four key elements:
- Look and Feel
- Improving signage in and around town
- Brightening in empty units
- Decorating the town
- Bringing waste ground back into use
- Marketing and Events
- Creating an annual calendar of events
- Providing training workshops
- Providing canvas covers for events
- Developing a loyalty scheme
- Information and Communication
- Developing an Aberdare Hub
- Helping businesses succeed
- Being a stronger voice for businesses
- Leveraging in extra funding through grant schemes
- Accessibility and Parking
- Developing and promoting parking offers
- Working on improving access
You should contact Our Aberdare Ltd if you have any further questions about the BID services.
Aren’t these services already provided by the Council?
No the services provided under the BID must be additional services not already provided by the Council or enhancements to existing services.
Is there an increase in the BID levy each year?
There will be an annual inflationary increase of all levy charges year on year for the duration of the Business Improvement District.
The property is unoccupied do I still need to pay?
Yes. The ratepayer for an unoccupied property is also liable to pay a BID levy.
Can I pay by instalments?
No. The BID levy is payable in one payment.
If you have genuine financial difficulty and are unable to pay then you should contact the Council straight away on 01443 425002 Never ignore requests for payment as this will only make the situation worse.
I voted against the BID or wasn’t eligible to vote at the time of the ballot, do I still have to pay?
Yes the positive result of the BID ballot held on the 27th February 2020 is binding on all non domestic ratepayers in the BID area from the 1st April 2020 to the 31st March 2025. This includes persons or organisations who become rate payers after the date of the ballot.
Do I automatically become a member of the Our Aberdare Ltd company?
No. Our Aberdare’s Articles of Association require that levy-paying businesses in the BID area are required to apply for membership of the BID Company. Members of the company may vote at the company’s Annual General Meeting scheduled for next year and get involved in the Board of Directors or join a theme group.
If you would like to join the Board or the theme groups, please e-mail: info@ouraberdare.com
How can I get involved?
There are two ways that you can get involved:
- Join the Board of Directors and get involved in leading and overseeing the progress of the Our Aberdare BID
- Become a member of a theme group that meet to focus on specific projects and issues such as marketing, security and improving the appearance of and experience in the town.
How can I pay my BID bill?
Pay online using a debit or credit card.
Have your 8 digit BID account reference number, beginning with a 7, to hand.
On line banking or BACS transfer;
Pay to - Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC
Sort Code - 20-68-92
Account No. - 20639427
Please always quote your 8 digit BID account reference number, beginning with a 7, in every transaction.
By Post
Send cheques made payable to RCTCBC to Council Offices, Business Support Unit, Ty Elai, Dinas Isaf East Ind Est, Williamstown, Tonypandy, CF40 1NY. Please always quote your 8 digit BID account reference number, starting with a 7, on the reverse.
In Person
Use the electronic payment kiosk at the Council’s One 4 All Centres – details available on www.rctcbc.gov.uk/contactus - and remember to have your 8 digit BID account reference number, beginning with a 7, to hand.
By Telephone
To the customer contact centre, on 01443 425002, to pay by debit or credit card. A surcharge applies to credit cards.
Contact Us
For queries regarding your bill, check the website www.rctcbc.gov.uk – businesses – business rates – BID
e-mail revenues@rctcbc.gov.uk
TEL 01443 425002
Letters to Council Offices, Oldway House, Porth Street, Porth CF39 9ST
For queries regarding BID services
e-mail info@ouraberdare.com