Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee - New Policy Issues


We would like to bring to your attention some new policy issues that have emerged from the two recent House of Commons select committees and on which we are gathering evidence from members.

As you will know from my last Insight, the House of Commons select committee on Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee, chaired by Clive Betts, has produced a major new report on High Streets and Town centres in 2030. In that document, a number of very specific BID related matters were raised.

Clearly we were very pleased that the report specifically says “The BID member retailers that we spoke to were generally supportive of BIDs, although we heard that their remit should be “extended” and that there should be more sharing of best practice, knowledge and skills between them”. We are very confident that our growing British BIDs membership, our 2018 National BID Survey, the National BID Criteria and the variety of increasingly popular training and membership services that we provide goes some way towards satisfying the select committees need for databases, lists and training.

However, the report raises the issue of community involvement in BIDs and BID Boards. There is no denying that traditionally BIDs see themselves as very much representatives of the business community. They are funded by businesses and operate in order to improve businesses within their various communities. Nonetheless many BIDs have managed to ensure that they have elected councillors or representatives from their elected organisations on their Boards. Indeed, the latest National BID Survey suggests that 84% of BID Boards had local authority representation that was primarily elected members, with offices acting in an observer capacity. At the same time many BIDs ensure that community groups such as civic trusts, environmental groups and historical societies, along with residents, have seats on Boards in BIDs across the country. Nonetheless the select committee’s report does ask the Government to look very specifically at the matter of representation on Boards and so we are gathering together a group of people who might be able to continue to advise us on how to present advice to Government. If you have an interest in this can you please email me

Secondly the select committee report raises again the issue of Property Owner BIDs. The British BIDs consultation note to Government on Property Owner BIDs was very specific, and we were very supportive and we continue to be supportive. One of the key issues was the boundary framework under which Property Owner BIDs had been proposed under the Government legislation. We still are very confident that our advice at the time was the right one and we will be reworking our documents on Property Owner BIDs to submit them to the Government at the appropriate moment. Again if you feel that you would like to be involved in these conversations do please get in touch.

Finally, the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee is looking again at the vexed issue of business rates and the pressure on businesses. Much has been written on this and indeed the Betts report has much about the issue of business rates and the taxation burden on businesses, and it will be interesting to see how the Treasury committee makes use of that information in its own report. British BIDs submitted much information to the Grimsey review on the impact of business rates and was specifically supportive of the proposals put forward by the New West End company on the matter of rethinking the whole business rates structure.

British BIDs proposes to revisit this information, and a number of BIDs have already been in touch on this. We will be gathering a group together to respond by the deadline of April 12. Can I ask that members who would like to be involved to contact me by email so that we can augment the work that we have already done.

Professor Christopher Turner, Chief Executive, British BIDs

Latest Articles

SEPTEMBER INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

AUGUST INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

JULY INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

APRIL INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

MARCH INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

DESIGN YOUR SCHEME READY FOR A SUCCESSFUL RESULT

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

FEBRUARY INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

JANUARY INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

DECEMBER INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

NOVEMBER'S INSIGHT BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

10 key considerations from The National BIDs Conference

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

October's Insight by Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

A PRO-BUSINESS (AND NOT SO MINI) BUDGET FROM OUR NEW CHANCELLOR

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

September's Insight by Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

National BID Awards 2022

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

August's insight by Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

July's Insight by Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Leadership race: Businesses need competent hands on the tiller

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

JUNE'S INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Greening our cities

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

MAY'S INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Bringing back The Golden Mile in Belfast

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

April's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Industrial BID Members to meet at Penrith Industrial BID

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

HINCKLEY BID: Attracting visitors through our annual pancake race

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

March's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

February's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Bb joins national campaign to encourage workers back to offices

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

TURNING BUSINESS FOOD WASTE INTO VEGETABLES IN BOURNEMOUTH

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

BACK TO PLAN A, NOW NO MORE TO-ING AND FRO-ING!

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

January's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Businesses need clarity from government in 2022

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Over 100 destinations urge UK government to deliver 'business booster

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

December's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Plan B: £4bn Loss Predicted for hospitality sector

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Small Business Saturday Spotlight: BRINGING FAMILIES TO TOWN WITH THE HELP OF SNOW QUEENS AND ICE FAIRIES

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Small Business Saturday: Wizard of Oz comes to Saffron Walden

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Small Business Saturday spotlight: Hidden crackers in Nottingham

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

British BIDs and The Means are delighted with GO! Southampton BIDs successful ballot

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

British BIDs to welcome new BIDs to the Ballot Buddy portfolio

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

November's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Unemployment is falling, but our recovery is patchy

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

National BIDs Conference 2021

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Budget 2021 - letter to Chancellor

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

October's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

High street app attracts thousands of visitors to Lanark

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

September's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Getting back on track

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

August's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

The future health of our High Street Businesses

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

July's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Freedom day is coming… and BIDs are performing an incredible public service

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

June's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

BIDlife

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Our rapidly evolving workspaces

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

British BIDs appointed to support Swindon renewal ballot

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

May's Insight from Chris Turner - 2021

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Indoor service please

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

ACT NOW FOR A STAND-OUT LIGHTING DISPLAY THIS WINTER

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Evidence to The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee on Permitted Development Rights

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Amazon clicks and thirsty punters… now for business rates

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Welcome people back to your high street with Plantscape’s floral displays

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

High streets a part of life?

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

BIDlife - Send us your reopening photos

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

April's Insight from Chris Turner - 2021

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

The Big Heart of Merthyr Tydfil BID and Northfield BID achieve Accreditation

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Maybe* - 7 ways to reconnect with your BID levy payers and their customers

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

March’s ballot results – a congratulations from British BIDs

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Ballot Buddy helps achieve a new term for Sheffield BID

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

British BIDs meets with UK's largest national chains

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

March's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Retail repositioning continues

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Colour and animation for magical lights this Christmas - GALA LIGHTS

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

The recovery Budget delivered, where now for our towns and cities?

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

£1bn Towns Fund for 45 areas in England announced

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

February ballot results – a congratulations from the British BIDs team

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

February's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Letter on proposed new Permitted Development Rights

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Watford BID overcoming the challenges to secure a ‘YES’ vote

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

BID ballots during lockdown

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Business Interruption Policy Checker, Christmas Support Payments and Lockdown Guidance and elections

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

The headlines are gloomy, but our future evolved local high street looks exciting

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

As we lose a retail icon, we must embrace the change

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

January's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Digital trends in 2021

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

British BIDs and Industrial BIDs discuss crime prevention

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Government names 72 high streets in England to share £831m recovery fund

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

A look back on 2020 BID ballots

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

December's insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

#BIDlife - putting the spotlight on our towns and cities!

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

How can and should BIDs be more community focused?

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Christmas lights provide feel-good factor in challenging times

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Welsh guidance about the coronavirus rules that will be in place from 6pm Friday 4 December

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Repurposing our places for the future

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Arcadia Group – Guidance for BIDs, 1 December 2020

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Calling on the Government to do more to support Retail, Hospitality and Leisure

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Increase your footfall over the festive period - Blachere Illumination

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

The shop local and loyal revolution from Scottish fintech Miconex with Town and City Gift Cards and Mi Rewards

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

November's insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

LoyalFree: The high street app helping businesses trade through the lockdown

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

BID community prepares for second lockdown

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Job Support Scheme expanded to firms required to close due to Covid Restrictions

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Extended Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - 1st November 2020

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

British BIDs congratulates confirmed areas to receive new Town Deals Fund

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Paul Clement steps down from British BIDs after long-standing service

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

October's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

British BIDs congratulates Melanie Beck on being awarded MBE for ‘Services to the Community’ during Covid-19

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

BIDs in the news

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

British BIDs and Industrial BIDs share best practice

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

September's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

British BIDs requests extension of 'Eat out To Help Out' Scheme

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

​Bb requests further BID term extension from MHCLG

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Bb to launch new research entitled 'Shaping the Future'

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Your Pontypridd Receives Accreditation

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

August's insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Levy reduction letter from BIDs - download the template

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Local lockdowns and areas of interventions: how to prepare

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

British BIDs' response on levy payments

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

British BIDs supports Business Resilience Survey

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Get involved in our response to Government

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Preparing for localised lockdown webinar follow up

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Look back on lockdown - BIDs (part 2)

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

July's insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Webinar with high street expert Bill Grimsey

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Ruth Duston joins British BIDs Advisory Board

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Towns Fund – updated guidance

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Look back on lockdown - BIDs

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

June's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

From BBC news, to virtual meetings & training, we reflect on the past 3 months

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

BBC News Channel - Professor Christopher Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Industrial and Business Park BIDs share good practice with virtual networking sessions

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

New research on BIDs and the 'new normal'

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Important announcement: MHCLG BID Loan Fund

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Ed Cooke joins British BIDs Advisory Board

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

THAT WAS THE BB WEEK THAT WAS #9 (W/C 18TH MAY)

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

THAT WAS THE BB WEEK THAT WAS #8 (W/C 11TH MAY)

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

3R Toolkit; Driving recovery in your place

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

THAT WAS THE BB WEEK THAT WAS #7 (W/C 4TH MAY)

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

BIDs Advisory Board welcome Resilience Fund

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

THAT WAS THE BB WEEK THAT WAS #6 (W/C 27TH APRIL)

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

British BIDs announces new research into the recovery of BIDs and urban centres in the ‘new normal’

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

British BIDs Announces BIDs Resilience Fund

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Government lobbying for BID levy relief during COVID-19

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

THAT WAS THE BB WEEK THAT WAS #5 (W/C 20TH APRIL)

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

New measures to protect UK high street from aggressive rent collection and closure

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

British BIDs expands Ballot Buddy portfolio

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Sidcup BID achieve British BIDs Accreditation

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Government Survey - your help needed by 22nd April

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

That Was The Bb Week That Was #4 (W/C 13th april)

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

April's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

COVID-19 - Job Retention Scheme Update

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

That Was The Bb Week That Was #3 (W/C 6th April)

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

That Was The Bb Week That Was #2 (W/C 30th March)

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

British BIDs' Ballot Buddy helps secure a 'yes' vote for West Bromwich BID

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

The Coronavirus Act 2020 and what it means for BIDs

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

That Was The Bb Week That Was #1 (w/c 23rd March)

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

BID levy payments and COVID-19

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

New Q&A sessions announced

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Communications support for BIDs

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

British BIDs Guidance - Q&A

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Business Improvement Districts and their Coronavirus Response

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

March's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Join our live Q&A session this Friday

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

COVID-19: An update for Business Improvement Districts (BIDs)

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

British BIDs' response to the Chancellor's Budget

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

British BIDs launches new Advisory Board

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Sunak urged to reform rates that ‘hammer’ local retailers

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

February's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

British BIDs partners with Welsh Government

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Business Rates - a representation to the Chancellor for the 2020 Budget

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

New year, new Christmas

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

January's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Celebrate our 10th birthday with us

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

British BIDs support Plymouth City Centre BID at renewal campaign launch

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

December's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

November's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Digital Lego Trail successful boost to the City Centre

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Can your BID assist school/college leavers in their area to obtain employment locally?

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

October's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

September's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

August's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

July's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

June's Insight from Professor Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

British BIDs appointed to support West Bromwich BID for renewal ballot

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

British BIDs appointed to support Sheffield BID with 2020 renewal ballot

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

May's Insight from Professor Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

April's Insight from Professor Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Debenhams Administration - Guidance for BIDs

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

March's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

BID Loan Fund Workshops with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Celebrating 25 Years in Christmas Lighting - Gala Lights

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

February's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

InLinkUK - New to our Suppliers Portal

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - JANUARY

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - DECEMBER

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Thank you to our British BIDs members

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - NOVEMBER

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Autumn Budget 2018: Highlights for the BID industry

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - OCTOBER

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government BID Loan Fund

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

British BIDs appointed to support South Bank BID with 2019 renewal ballot

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Faster broadband underpins UK BIDs - Openreach

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

National BIDs Conference by Ben Collins

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - SEPTEMBER

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Is slow broadband hindering your business and do you want to do something about it?

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - AUGUST

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Do Your BID’s Lights Need A Refresh?

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - JULY

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Applications for the 2018 Great British High Streets Awards are now open!

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Launch of the Second Grimsey review

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Launch of the Great British High Street Awards 2018

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - JUNE

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - MAY

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT INDUSTRY CELEBRATES 300 BIDS

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

Check out our photos from the Professional Development Day

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - APRIL

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

What you can discover on the new Bb website

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - MARCH

POSTED ON: 06/03/2019