The BID4 ballot was successful in March 2023, a majority of businesses by number of votes and by total rateable value voted in favour of another five year BID term. Now Halton BID can continue to deliver a range of business improvement programmes to the businesses of Astmoor and Halebank.

The business improvement districts have been in place since 2008 and continue to develop and strengthen your estate. As a BID Business you have access to numerous services and support, please scroll down to see a summary of our four themes and the services HaltonBID delivers to you.

BID4 Annual Levy Leaflet and Accounts

This leaflet summarises the work and achievements across both estates over the past year and explains how the BID levy will be invested. 

How is My Levy Calculated?

The BID levy is calculated using a ‘chargeable day’ that imposes the full year levy charge on the incumbent on a fixed day of that year (1st April), with the exception of those premises with a rateable value ≤ £3,000. 

For the avoidance of doubt, the formal revaluation that took place on the 1st of April 2023 shall be ignored and the 31st March 2023 rating list will continue to apply. 

The 1st of April rating list and any other national revaluation only apply post-ballot. 

Therefore, the rateable value shown on your business rates invoice issued by the local authority will be different from the rateable value shown on your BID levy demand.

How to Appeal the Rateable Value of your Premises

To appeal the rateable value of your premises with the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) you can do this by registering with the VOA’s online service: https://www.gov.uk/business-rates-valuation-account

The rateable value of your premises and how it has been calculated can be found via the following webpage: https://www.gov.uk/find-business-rates

Our Key Themes for BID4

A Safe Estate

Since the creation of the BID in 2008 there has been a tangible and quantitative reduction in crime rates across both the Astmoor and Halebank estates. Security and safety has always been a key priority and BID security services will continue to be maintained and developed in BID4.

 

  • Estate wide HD CCTV & ANPR systems
  • 24/7 alarm response and keyholding for all businesses
  • Targeted security patrols
  • SelectaMarkDNA forensic property marking kits (with warning signage and stickers)
  • Security Light provision
  • Close partnership with local PCSOs & Cheshire Police
  • Free secure document shredding
  • Publicly Accessible Defibrillators & Bleed Kits

HD CCTV and ANPR

21 HD CCTV cameras and 4 ANPR cameras cover the Halebank estate and 26 HD CCTV cameras and 11 ANPR cameras cover the Astmoor estate.

The system has inbuilt extra capacity for future expansion and also includes privacy zones for cameras close to residental areas.

Keyholding and Alarm Response

All our residents have the benefit of an effective key holding and alarm response from our Security Team.

This vital service is free to all BID businesses and can allow you and your colleagues to rest easy that your business place is secure.

SelectaMark DNA Kits

SelectaDNA is a unique theft deterrent which helps to recover property. Used in conjunction with the warning and window stickers supplied, the marking system deters thieves from stealing from your work place.

It is virtually impossible to remove every trace of SelectaDNA and each trace links criminals to the crimes they commit.

Mobile Security Patrols

Mobile patrols are fully uniformed and SIA accredited officers patrolling in marked vehicles with state-of-the-art GPS tracking systems.

These let businesses and their owners rest knowing that there is a security presence on the estate. Ad hoc patrols are also implemented and Bank Holidays are also covered.

Security Lights

Security lights are an effective deterrent to thieves and other trouble makers. 

By providing a great level of illumination security lights allow for clear identification of persons and objects which creates a psychological deterrent to criminal activity in the area being protected.

Publicly Accessible Defibrillators

Defibrillators are life saving devices and we are ecstatic to be able to have these devices installed and maintained across both Halton estates. Bleed kits are also included.

Click below to find your nearest Defibrillator and the training available.

Winter Salt Store

Salt is essential during winter to keep roads clear from ice and allow deliveries to reach our residents. 

Salt stores were very much appreciated in the snow storm in late 2022.

Secure Shredding

The disposal of documents can be a pain and an unwanted extra cost to all businesses. To help combat this pain we provide free and secure document shredding.

A Welcoming Estate

Through Halton BID’s initiatives and ongoing maintenance both the image of the Halebank estate and Astmoor estate has transformed. Image enhancement has led to an attractive, clean, tidy, and well maintained estate that enhances company image and is appreciated by customers, employees, and suppliers.

 

  • Updated & Improved signage across the estate
  • Litter picks & prompt fly tipping removal
  • Tree felling when required to prevent injury & property damage
  • Swift clearance of drains to prevent flooding
  • Removal of overgrown, obstructive shrubs on unadopted land
  • Targeted grass cutting and weed removal on private, non-council land
  • Help sourcing suppliers and co-ordinating image enhancing initiatives including discounted waste removal
  • Installation of planters and plants where appropriate

Updated and Enhanced Signage

Keeping with our theme of ‘Image Enhancement’ we are always looking at ways to improve the look of the estate. One way we have enhanced the image of the estates is with enhanced signage.

Targeted Grass Cutting

Green space maintenance is a theme that the BID manager is very vigilant of.

We enact targeted grass cutting and weed removal on private, non-council land.

Tree Felling

Tree felling when required to prevent damage to buildings and possible injury to people.

In addition to helping make the estates much safer tree felling also improves the image of the estates’ green spaces. 

Additional Signage & Illegal Signage Removal

Additional signage when permitted or required has been installed across both estates. Recently flags have been installed across the estates.

We will also remove illegal signage when required. 

Litter Picks & Fly Tipping Response

 Having a clean estate that you can be proud of is our aim and we strive to achieve this aim through our targeted litter picks and fly tipping removal response.  

Jet Washing

We want to make sure the estates are clean and have made use of jet washing to help further enhance the cleanliness of the estates.

Get in touch if you have a request for an area to be jet washed.

 

An Engaged and Informed Estate

In BID4 we believe it incredibly important to make sure that every business is not only better connected to each other but also to the BID itself. Each estate has their own Operating Group which all BID businesses have the opportunity to be a member of and elect. Over the course of BID3 there have 161 events available to all BID businesses.

 

  • A dedicated BID Team to provide a single point of contact for BID businesses, contractors, and stakeholders
  • Access to member services including indemnified 24/7 advice on HR, Health and Safety, Tax and Legal issues
  • Effective partnership through regular meetings/liaison with Halton Borough Council and local stakeholders
  • Monthly newsletter distribution to all BID businesses
  • 1sttuesday breakfast events
  • Annual BID Business of the Year Award at the Halton Business Awards
  • Free, blanket membership to Halton Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise
  • Regularly updated web presence on this website and Twitter

Free Chamber Membership

This valuable membership is provided to all BID businesses in Halton at no extra charge. As a Chamber Member your business will benefit from a range of services, cost-saving initiatives, information and networking events. 

24/7 Advice Lines

All BID businesses have free Chamber of Commerce membership, included in this membership is Chamber Protect which is a 24/7 advice line which provides indemnified advice for the issues or concerns which you may face. 

In addition to the advice lines you also receive insurance coverage and access to a massive document library. 

Halton BID Newsletter

Every month we put out a newsletter to keep you up to date on new happenings on the BID area. If you are interested in receiving the BID newsletter you can click the below link to sign up. 

Networking Events

Halton BID provides a variety of network opportunities for businesses to meet and do business with one another.

The regular networking event, ‘1stuesday’, runs the first Tuesday of every month and is free to all BID businesses. 1stuesday is open to all businesses so these events are brilliant to network with businesses on and off the estates. 

Dedicated BID Team

The BID team are dedicated to listening, working with, and delivering services to BID businesses of all sizes and industries across both Astmoor and Halebank estates.  

 An Educated and Experienced Estate

The provision of training courses is one of the most used and appreciated services by BID companies. During BID3 212 successful training programmes were delivered in a range of topics. Businesses also have access to a 24/7 online training portal. 80% of survey respondents stated that they made used of BID training courses.

Courses include but are not limited to: 

  • Forklift Truck (FLT)
  • Fire Safety and Warden
  • Import and Export documentation
  • Manual Handling
  • Excel (Levels 2 & 3)
  • PAT testing

Forklift (FLT)

Catering to all Forklift needs we provide 5 day Novice courses for that first Forklift accreditation. We also provide Forklift refresher courses to ensure that your workers are at the highest competence and that safety standards are kept high. 

Excel & Digital Skills

Our Excel courses are highly used by BID businesses. The Excel training will take you through your Excel journey from Level 1 to Level 2 and Level 3. Effectively using Excel can be a brilliant resource for your business.

In addition to Excel we also run other digital skill courses – such as our GDPR compliance course.

Fire Safety and First Aid

First Aid and Fire Safety skills are highly sought after and to cater to your needs we run Fire Warden courses and Emergency First Aid courses. 

PAT Testing

To ensure that the electrical equipment at your workplace is safe and ready for use we offer a one day accredited PAT Testing course. Successful candidates will come out of the course with the a certificate and the ability to test your workplace’s electrical equipment for safety.

And Many More

We are always updating and adding new courses so please check out what is on offer and make the most of your training.