These Regulations make provision in relation to business improvement districts. Business improvement districts are provided for in the Business Improvement Districts Act (Northern Ireland) 2013 (“the 2013 Act”) as areas within which projects specified in the BID arrangements are to be carried out for the benefit of that district or those who live, work or carry on any activity in the district. Those projects are to be financed (in whole or in part) by a BID levy imposed on eligible non-domestic ratepayers, or a class of such ratepayers in the district. A business improvement district may only be established where those entitled to vote approve the BID proposals, which on approval become BID arrangements.

Regulation 2 provides for the Department of Finance and Personnel (“DFP”) to supply information from its non-domestic rates records to persons developing BID proposals.

Regulation 3 provides for DFP to supply information from its non-domestic rates records for the purpose of canvassing in relation to a ballot. Provision is also made for the restriction of the use of the information.

Regulation 4 prescribes the circumstances in which a district council may veto BID proposals, the period within which this has to be done and the matters to which a district council shall have regard to in deciding whether to exercise the veto.

Regulation 5 provides for who is entitled to vote in a ballot.