Helen Rhodes, Manager of Ilkley BID

Ilkley BID has been recognised for its high standards and received a national accreditation for Business Improvement Districts.

The BID Foundation’s Industry Standards was awarded to Ilkley BID in recognition of its standards of transparency and responsible governance, following an independent review process.

The BID Foundation, a group of over 70 Business Improvement Districts, has developed the Industry Standards for all BIDs with input from UK government and other national bodies. The Standards highlight information and documentation that should be made publicly accessible and easily identifiable by every BID and are independently accredited by the Institute of Place Management.

Ilkley BID has passed the Industry Standards accreditation by demonstrating the high standards of aspects including its business plan, governance mechanisms and reporting, Directors and personal interests, and detail on ballot results.

Helen Rhodes, Manager of Ilkley BID told us “We’ve had the governance documents and processes in place since 2019. As we are now in the process of assessing the appetite for businesses to support a further BID term of five years covering the period 2024 to 2029, I felt it was important to demonstrate to businesses that the team and Directors of Ilkley BID follow recommended best practices. It was great to get feedback that all standards are met with some sections receiving additional comments about ‘excellent transparency’ with one section noted as ‘one of the clearest statements we have read’.”

Introducing industry standards for BIDs was a recommendation of research into the BID sector and its development in the UK, published in 2020 by the Institute of Place Management.

Matthew Davis, Director at the Institute of Place Management and The BID Foundation, said: “This is a crucial piece of work to support BIDs. The Industry Standards further demonstrate the professionalism of BIDs that adopt them, and of the wider sector, which has stepped forward through the pandemic and now during recovery to provide support to thousands of local businesses.”

The Industry Standards are awarded following a review process conducted by The BID Foundation, which is delivered with the support of the Institute of Place Management, the professional body for place managers and leaders, based at Manchester Metropolitan University.

The BID Foundation members have begun adoption of the standards, which award a kite mark to display to levy payers and other stakeholders.