Bb Advanced Accreditation

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Background

The Advanced Accreditation system is aimed at formal BIDs who have already obtained Accreditation status. It extends the process to help measure their quality management systems. The system focuses on ensuring that the BID’s stakeholders are satisfied that the BID is well managed, with strong governance arrangements in place and that it complies with the legislation and regulations that govern it.

The award of Advanced Accreditation system will follow concentration upon outputs and the way in which the work of the BID is recorded, analysed and reported to stakeholders. It is designed as a robust system to ensure the proper measurement of the impact that a BID may be having on its locality.

Particularly suited to BIDs approaching renewal, Advanced Accreditation enables BIDs to ensure that they are properly analysing the services that they offer and then reporting outcomes to stakeholders in a format that is both meaningful and constructive.
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Why is it important?

1.    BIDs will be certain that, when providing and reporting on the impact of additional services, they are doing so in line with an industry standard

2.    Stakeholders will be certain that any BID that has achieved the Standard is professionally assessing the delivery and impact of services, and reporting results in a meaningful way

3.    Both BIDs and stakeholders will be assured that the BID is making a meaningful difference to businesses operating in the area

Attaining the Standard

Only formal BIDs which have already obtained British BIDs Accreditation are eligible. Such BIDs should have traded for no less than half of their first term.

After being awarded Advanced Accreditation, a BID will need to be re-assessed within the first 3 years. Thereafter, re-assessment will be required at least every 5 years.
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Advanced Accreditation Requirements

Advanced Accreditation is split into four sections:

Theme 1: Financial

-    Budgeting principles
-    Budget setting procedures
-    Cost control measures
-    Monitoring of spend
-    ‘Return on investment’ analysis

Theme 2: Operational Management

-    Contract monitoring and review processes
-    Supervision arrangements
-    Decision making processes

Theme 3: Performance Measurement

-    Targets and KPIs
-    Business/user surveys
-    360º scrutiny
-    Action planning processes

Theme 4: Reporting

-    Annual Reviews
-    Reporting of results
-    Annual Meetings
-    Annual Reports
-    General communications strategy

The Process

The Accreditation is a 5 step process

Step 1: Application – An application form must be completed by the BID, approved by its Board if necessary. This application will be considered by British BIDs and the suitability of the BID assessed. It will set out certain essential aspects that any applicant must possess.

Step 2: Self-Assessment – Once the Application is approved, a self-assessment questionnaire will need to be completed, including evidence of the systems and procedures as required. An Assessor will be appointed by British BIDs to work in conjunction with the BID.

Step 3: Pre-Audit Assessment – The appointed Assessor will work with the BID, offering an overview of documentation, together with assessing readiness for progression to the full Audit stage. This will identify any gaps or weaknesses prior to the arrangement of the final Audit.

Step 4: The Audit - Once the Assessor and the BID are satisfied, an Audit will be arranged, to be conducted by an independent Auditor

Step 5: Certification – The Auditor’s findings are presented to a scheduled meeting of the Accreditation Board who will decide one of the following options:

•    Full Compliance – the BID has reached a satisfactory standard to be awarded British BIDs Accreditation

•    Partial Compliance – the BID has made good progress, but some further changes or improvements need to be made. The outstanding material can be resubmitted to the Accreditation Board within 6 months for consideration

•    Non-Compliance – there is some way to go to gain the Accreditation. Full feedback will be given and re-assessment will be required

Once Full Compliance is reached, the BID is able to promote itself as ‘Advanced Accredited’ and is entitled to use the British BIDs ‘Advanced Accreditation’ logo.
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Fees

Fees are paid in two stages and are strictly due prior to commencement of the following stage. Amounts stated are exclusive of VAT which will be charged at the standard rate. The fees for the first stage will depend upon the annual BID levy income, with reductions available for British BIDs members.

Stage 1:

This covers from the initial application to completion of the Pre-Audit Assessment stage:

Annual BID Levy Income       Accreditation Fee                 Accreditation Fee
                                                (Bb member)                  (Non-member)

Up to £200,000                          £450 plus VAT                 £565 plus VAT

£200,000 to £450,000                £500 plus VAT                  £625 plus VAT

Over £450,000                           £750 plus VAT                  £945 plus VAT

Stage 2:

This covers the costs of the Audit, consideration of the application by the Accreditation Board, and certification (if appropriate):

Bb Member                Non-Member

£300 plus VAT           £350 plus VAT