Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to improve the transparency of operation of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs); and what his policy is on increasing the powers made available to BIDs.

We are currently consulting to improve the transparency of the operation of Business Improvement Districts. The consultation also includes proposals to increase powers available to them including simplifying the Neighbourhood Planning process and giving them the power to use the Community Right to Challenge.