BID Ballot
Business Improvement District (BID)
A Business Improvement District or BID is an arrangement whereby businesses collaborate to decide what services and improvements (in addition to those already provided by the business rates) they wish to make in their location, how they are going to manage and deliver those improvements and what they are prepared to pay to make them happen.
Notice of ballot
Business Improvement District renewal - Great Yarmouth Town Centre
This is to give notice that a ballot is to be held on renewing the Business Improvement District (BID) arrangements in respect of the Great Yarmouth Town Centre.
The day of the ballot will be Thursday 19 March 2026.
The ballot will be conducted entirely by post by the ballot holder, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Great Yarmouth NR30 2QF. Ballot papers will be sent to those eligible to vote on Wednesday 18 February 2026 for return by no later than 5 pm on Thursday 19 March 2026 (the day of the ballot).
Who can vote in the BID ballot?
Persons eligible to vote in the ballot will be the non-domestic ratepayers listed on the Council's database for each hereditament (business premise), situated in the geographical area of the proposed BID, as of the date of this Notice, with the following exceptions:
- those with a rateable value of less than £8,000 per annum
- schools and nursery buildings
- medical centres and surgeries
- museums
Each person entitled to vote in this ballot shall have one vote in respect of each hereditament occupied or (if unoccupied) owned by them in the geographical area of the proposed BID.
Appointment of proxies
Persons eligible to vote in the BID ballot may appoint someone else to vote on their behalf. For example, if you are going to be away at the time of the ballot. Applications to appoint a proxy can be obtained from the Electoral Services Team (contact details below).
Completed applications must be submitted no later than 5 pm on Monday 9 March 2026.
Lost ballot papers
Ballot papers will be sent to those who are eligible to vote on 18 February 2026. If you (or your proxy if you appoint one) have not received your ballot paper by 13 March 2026 you may apply to the Ballot Holder, for a replacement paper, providing evidence as to your identity.
Spoilt ballot papers
If you inadvertently spoil your ballot paper in such a manner that it cannot be conveniently used as a ballot paper, please return it to the Electoral Services Team. On receipt of the spoilt ballot paper, we will issue a replacement. No replacements can be issued if the spoilt ballot paper is received by Electoral Services later than 16 March 2026.
Count of ballot papers
Ballot papers have been counted. For a BID ballot to be successful there must be a majority of those voting in favour of the proposal, both in terms of the numbers voting and also the rateable value represented by those voting.
Rejected ballot papers
If a ballot paper is duplicated and two are returned bearing the same number or barcode, both will be void and not counted. Any ballot papers that are returned unsigned, unmarked or that are void for uncertainty will also be void and not counted.
Declaring the result
The ballot result will declare:
- the total number of valid votes cast
- the total aggregate rateable value of valid votes cast
- the total number of valid votes cast in favour of the BID
- the total aggregate rateable value of valid votes in favour of the BID
- if applicable, the total number of ballot papers rejected
For the BID Ballot to be successful, there must be:
- a majority in favour of the BID in the number of those voting
- a majority in favour of the BID in the proportion of rateable value of those voting
Details of the BID Proposal
Regulation 4(3) of the Business Improvement Districts (England) Regulations 2004 allows each person entitled to vote in the ballot or their proxy, a copy of the BID renewal proposals from the BID proposer. Please contact the BID hotline on 01493 745828, by emailing [email protected] or by visiting the Great Yarmouth BID website. Alternatively, write to the BID proposer at the address below.
The Bid Proposer
The BID proposer is the Great Yarmouth Town Centre Partnership, Unit 5 Wilkinsons Yard, Market Gates, Great Yarmouth.
If you require further information on the voting process please contact:
- the Electoral Services Team, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Great Yarmouth NR30 2QF
- telephone 01493 846327
- email [email protected]
