TOGETHER with other businesses, we have now received our final BID levy demand from Wiltshire Council. 
Unfortunately, with the business rate revaluation and the Chippenham BID’s unusual levy bands some businesses have seen their levy rise by 82 per cent, but as levy payers we remain powerless within the BID. This was highlighted last year when 95 businesses tried to close the BID at the AGM by special resolution and were stopped by the BID directors refusing a vote. 
The Chippenham BID has struggled from inception to have the required board of directors for BID governance. With the recent director resignations, the present board is missing representation from independent retail and has no representation from national retail, entertainment, hospitality and leisure and pubs and bars. 
Without the stipulated governance, I feel it is completely inappropriate that these few individuals as directors can continue to have control of £300,000pa of levy payers’ money and not publish full accounts to levy payers. Surely this level of secrecy should only be permitted if the required governance is in place?
Please can the Chippenham BID board accept and implement my recommendation that governance of the BID is transferred to the town council.
EDWARD KIRK
Scholars
The Causeway, Chippenham