Written questions by Kearns.

Communities and Local Government, whether Local Authorities can request timeline extensions for the delivery of projects under the Levelling Up Fund Scheme.

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Guidance on planning propriety: planning casework decisions, published on 16 December 2021, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the Government's compliance with that guidance in the context of discussions between the Prime Minister the Chinese President in (a) August and (b) December 2024.

In dealing with any application, Ministers and officials will act in accordance with published propriety guidance on planning casework decisions. More information can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, whether the Prime Minister shared with the Planning Casework Unit a written record of his discussions on 23 August 2024 and 18 December 2024 with the President of the People's Republic of China on the proposed new Chinese Embassy.

As has been the case under successive administrations, government does not normally disclose details of internal discussions.

Communities and Local Government, whether his department has considered the potential merits of mandating a minimum distance of 1km between new Quarries and residential homes or schools.

The scale and form of quarries, and their potential impacts, can vary significantly. As such, it would be overly restrictive to introduce a blanket presumption against quarry development within 1km of residential homes or schools, particularly as minerals are a finite natural resource which can only be worked where they are found. Important safeguards are in place when quarrying is proposed. The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that in considering proposals for mineral extraction, minerals planning authorities should ensure that there are no unacceptable adverse impacts on the natural and historic environment, human health or aviation safety, and take into account the cumulative effect of multiple impacts from individual sites and/or from a number of sites in a locality. They should also ensure that any unavoidable noise, dust and particle emissions and any blasting vibrations are controlled, mitigated or removed at source, and establish appropriate noise limits for extraction in proximity to noise sensitive properties. Where issues are identified through the planning process, the imposition of planning conditions can assist in mitigating impacts to acceptable levels.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the provision in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to remove public notices in local papers concerning changes to local authority governance arrangements on local democratic engagement.

Schedule 25 of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill makes provision to amend statutory notice requirements under the Local Government Act 2000, concerning changes to local authority governance arrangements. In practice, this change will affect only a very small number of councils. Over 80% of councils already operate the leader and cabinet model of governance and provisions in the Bill will limit future changes to local authority governance. The provision does not prevent local authorities from publishing notices in printed newspapers where this is considered the most appropriate way to inform residents. Instead, local authorities will be able to choose the most suitable communication channels for their area, including local newspapers.

Communities and Local Government, whether existing (a) district and (b) borough council area borders can be changed as part of local government reorganisation.

Final proposals for local government reorganisation must specify the area for any new unitary council(s). Boundary changes are possible, but existing district areas should be considered the building blocks for proposals. Where a final proposal includes a boundary change, that should be explained and mapped clearly. More complex boundary changes will only be considered where there is a strong justification. Decisions on the most appropriate option for each area will be judgements in the round, having regard to the statutory guidance and the available evidence.

Communities and Local Government, if his Department will engage in a public consultation with residents of Rutland before deciding which Local Government Reorganisation plan to approve.

Following the commitment made in the English Devolution White Paper in December, all two-tier councils and their neighbouring small unitary councils were invited in February to make proposals for unitary local government. Proposals for unitary local government are due to be submitted to Government by 28 November for the two invitation areas of i) Leicestershire, Leicester, Rutland and ii) Lincolnshire. Following the submission of proposals, the Government will decide which, if any, to implement, following a statutory consultation, to which the Hon. Member’s constituents will be able to respond.

Communities and Local Government, if his Department will engage in a public consultation with the residents of Leicestershire prior to deciding which Local Government Reorganisation plans to approve.

Following the commitment made in the English Devolution White Paper in December, all two-tier councils and their neighbouring small unitary councils were invited in February to make proposals for unitary local government. Proposals for unitary local government are due to be submitted to Government by 28 November for the two invitation areas of i) Leicestershire, Leicester, Rutland and ii) Lincolnshire. Following the submission of proposals, the Government will decide which, if any, to implement, following a statutory consultation, to which the Hon. Member’s constituents will be able to respond.

Communities and Local Government, if his Department with engage in a public consultation with the residents of South Kesteven before deciding which Local Government Reorganisation plan to approve.

Following the commitment made in the English Devolution White Paper in December, all two-tier councils and their neighbouring small unitary councils were invited in February to make proposals for unitary local government. Proposals for unitary local government are due to be submitted to Government by 28 November for the two invitation areas of i) Leicestershire, Leicester, Rutland and ii) Lincolnshire. Following the submission of proposals, the Government will decide which, if any, to implement, following a statutory consultation, to which the Hon. Member’s constituents will be able to respond.

Communities and Local Government, what form consultation on local government reorganisation proposals will take.

Following the commitment made in the English Devolution White Paper in December, all two-tier councils and their neighbouring small unitary councils were invited in February to make proposals for unitary local government. Proposals for unitary local government are due to be submitted to Government by 28 November for the two invitation areas of i) Leicestershire, Leicester, Rutland and ii) Lincolnshire. Following the submission of proposals, the Government will decide which, if any, to implement, following a statutory consultation, to which the Hon. Member’s constituents will be able to respond.

Communities and Local Government, whether statutory consultation on devolution is required for (a) the establishment of mayoralties and (b) all other local government reorganisation.

Statutory consultation requirements apply to the establishment of a Mayoral Combined Authority or Mayoral Combined County Authority, as set out in the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 and the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, respectively.The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, introduced to the House of Commons on 10 July 2025, includes provisions to make it quicker and simpler for local areas to agree and implement mayoral devolution arrangements in the future.Local government reorganisation is a separate process and we have invited proposals for unitary councils from councils in the 21 two-tier areas in England. There is a requirement for the Secretary of State to consult with affected councils and such other persons as he considers appropriate before implementing a proposal.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 27 May 2025 to Question 53184 on Housing: Disability, on what date her Department will set out its policies on accessible new build housing.

As per the answer to Question UIN 53184 on 27 May 2025, the government will shortly set out its policies on accessible new build housing, reinforcing our commitment to ensuring everyone has access to a safe, suitable home.

Communities and Local Government, when she expects councils to receive feedback on their local government reorganisation plans.

On 3 June I updated the House to confirm that my Department had provided individual written feedback to each area on the interim plans for local government reorganisation that they submitted by 21 March 2025. Areas have been encouraged to share that feedback with MPs and I also published a summary of the feedback to support all areas in progressing their proposals and in the interests of transparency.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of requiring mandatory quotas of disability accessible housing for new developments.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework that was published on 12 December 2024 requires local planning authorities to assess the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community, including those of disabled people, and to reflect this in planning policies. Where an identified need exists, plans are expected to help bring forward an adequate supply of accessible housing. This can include setting out the proportion of new housing to be delivered to the M4(2) accessible and adaptable standard. The government will shortly set out its policies on accessible new build housing, reinforcing our commitment to ensuring everyone has access to a safe, suitable home.

Communities and Local Government, whether housing associations can evict existing tenants in order to house illegal immigrants.

A housing association can only end a tenancy following the relevant specific legal procedure. For example, if they have a legal reason to do so as set out in the grounds for possession in law, such as rent arrears or antisocial behaviour.

Communities and Local Government, what plans she has to (a) reform and (b) enhance the (i) powers, (ii) financial responsibility and (iii) wider responsibilities of parish councils through the process of local government reform.

The English Devolution White Paper is clear that the government wants to create new opportunities for communities to have a say in the future of their area and play a part in improving it. Ensuring that parish councils are effective and representative of their communities will contribute to this goal. The government has consulted on necessary reforms to the local government standards regime, including in parish councils. The consultation closed on 26 February 2025 and government will respond in due course. We have also consulted on aims to enable stronger financial oversight of parish councils following the publication of our ‘Strategy for Overhauling Local Audit in England.’ The consultation closed on 29 January 2025 and we will respond in due course. We want to see stronger community arrangements when reorganisation happens in the way councils engage at a neighbourhood or area level. Proposals will need to explain plans to make sure that communities are engaged. Where there are already arrangements in place it should be explained how these will enable strong community engagement. Town and parish councils can work with other tiers of local government to determine how they can best serve their communities.

Communities and Local Government, how much her Department has spent on public surveys using vouchers as incentives.

The information cannot be provided, as it is not held centrally and collating it would result in a disproportionate cost to the department.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 19 of her Department's Guidance on planning propriety: planning casework decisions, published in December 2021, if she will place in the Library a copy of the records of all discussions held (a) by her Department and (b) between her Department and other government departments on the latest Chinese Embassy planning application that have not otherwise been made available to the public via the Planning Inspectorate, including information held on Ministers’ (i) non-corporate and (ii) corporate electronic devices.

As has been the case under successive administrations, government does not normally disclose internal communications.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 19 of her Department's Guidance on planning propriety: planning casework decisions, published in December 2021, if she will place in the Library a copy of all representations made to (a) her and (b) her Department on the latest Chinese Embassy planning application that have not otherwise been made available to the public via the Planning Inspectorate, including those from Parliamentarians.

Post-inquiry representations are routinely listed at the end of the decision letter, and are also publicly available on request.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of reclassifying Almhouses as social housing and allowing them to apply for S106 funding.

As part of the recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, the government sought views on whether changes were needed to the definition of ‘affordable housing for rent’ to make it easier for organisations that are not Registered Providers, including almshouses, to develop new affordable homes.While the government are committed to making it easier for almshouses to develop new affordable homes, we ultimately decided against extending the definition to capture almshouses for the reasons set out in our response to the consultation which can be found on gov.uk here.Informed by the points raised in the consultation, the government will actively explore options in future changes to national policy related to decision making.