Written questions by Maguire.

Communities and Local Government, how many public houses have been unlawfully (a) converted to another use and (b) demolished in (i) Cornwall and (ii) England since 2017.

The change of use or demolition of a public house requires planning permission.The government does not collect data on the number of public houses which have unlawfully changed use or have been demolished in Cornwall or England.We have not made any assessment of the potential merits of introducing a statutory duty on local planning authorities to remedy breaches of planning law in relation to such matters. We continue to keep the operation of the current protections for public houses under review.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing a statutory duty on local planning authorities to remedy breaches of planning law for unlawful (a) demolition of public houses and (b) conversion of public houses to another use.

The change of use or demolition of a public house requires planning permission.The government does not collect data on the number of public houses which have unlawfully changed use or have been demolished in Cornwall or England.We have not made any assessment of the potential merits of introducing a statutory duty on local planning authorities to remedy breaches of planning law in relation to such matters. We continue to keep the operation of the current protections for public houses under review.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of legislating to increase the minimum percentage of affordable housing requirement when hew housing developments are (a) planned and (b) built.

The golden rules introduced through the revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December 2024 require that development on the Green Belt delivers 15 percentage points more affordable housing than the existing local plan affordable housing requirements, up to a maximum of 50% (except where the local plan requirement is already higher). We estimate that the median affordable housing target in the Green Belt will be 50%.Outside of the Green Belt, it is for local authorities to assess the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community, including those who require affordable housing, and to reflect this in planning policies. We will consider what further steps we can take to support social and affordable housing as part of our intent to produce a set of national policies for decision making later this year.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department plans to take to tackle private parking companies issuing penalties to customers for taking too long to purchase a ticket due to (a) queues at the parking payment machine and (b) limited mobile phone/internet signal.

The Government is committed to driving up standards across the private parking sector for the benefit of motorists.The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the Government to prepare a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities.We hope to announce our proposals regarding the code as soon as possible.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of a system for dispute resolution available to freeholders paying estate management fees.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 includes measures that extend access to redress schemes to freehold estate homeowners. It does this by requiring estate management companies who manage communal areas to join a redress scheme.Bringing the provisi...

Communities and Local Government, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of a devolution deal for Cornwall that does not involve any other regions or counties in the South West.

This Government strongly believes that the benefits of devolution are best achieved through the establishment of combined authorities or combined county authorities over sensible economic geographies and supported by a mayor. This follows our minded-to de...

Communities and Local Government, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of a devolved Cornish assembly.

This Government was elected on a manifesto to widen and deepen devolution across the country. We believe that economic prosperity, productivity, and social cohesion are best achieved by devolving powers to local areas who best understand the needs of thei...

Communities and Local Government, whether any parts of North Cornwall constituency will receive funding from the Recovery Grant announced by her Department on 28 November 2024; and what additional steps she is ta

The government published a policy statement on 28 November 2024 that confirmed that local government will receive an around 3.2% real-terms increase overall in Core Spending Power as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement 2025-26. Places with a s...

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of (a) recognition of the Cornish as a national minority under the European Framework Convention for the Protection of

The Government is committed to seeing more areas benefit from devolution agreements, with new powers that will allow them to play a leading role in delivering growth and bringing economic benefit to their communities. In taking forward any devolution agre...

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of devolving legislative powers to a Cornish Assembly.

The Government is committed to transferring power out of Westminster and into local communities; we believe that economic prosperity, productivity, and social cohesion are best addressed by devolving powers to local areas who best understand the needs of ...

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the disparity in wealth of the wealthiest 10% of the population and the average household on (a) economic prosperity, (b)

This Government is committed to improving the living standards of the average household across the United Kingdom. The Employment Rights Bill will upgrade the UK labour market to make it fit for our modern economy, driving business growth and tackling poo...

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to require developers to build homes for social rent as part of large developments.

Through local development plans, local planning authorities can set out policy expectations in relation to housing mix and they are already able to require developers to make contributions to affordable housing through Section 106 planning obligations. As...

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of requests for payment of several months rent in advance before securing a tenancy on the ability of people to find housing

We are currently monitoring the practice of landlords charging rent in advance to understand the impacts on tenants and will take action if necessary.The Government is committed to redressing the balance between landlord and tenant. The Renters’ Rights Bi...

Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions her Department has held with Natural England on the effect of nutrient neutrality rules on new housebuilding projects in the River Camel catchment Special Area of Conservation.

MHCLG continues to work closely with Natural England on the issue of nutrient neutrality across England. Engagement takes place regularly with Natural England and affected local authorities through the Planning Advisory Service - Nutrient Network.The Government will implement solutions to unlock the building of homes affected by nutrient neutrality without weakening environmental protections. We will work with nature delivery organisations, stakeholders and the sector to determine the best way forward. We will only act in legislation where we can confirm to Parliament that the steps we are taking will deliver positive environmental outcomes.

Communities and Local Government, what her Department's policy is on increasing funding to Cornwall Council for (a) social care services (b) SEND services and (c) road maintenance.

Future local authority funding decisions will be a matter for the next Spending Review and, as is usual, we will consider the funding required for social care, SEND, and road maintenance within this process. We will consult with local authorities, including Cornwall, ahead of the next provisional Local Government Finance Settlement.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to reduce the number of unoccupied shops in town centres in North Cornwall constituency.

This Government is fully committed to rejuvenating our high streets and supporting the businesses and communities that make our town centres successful.Through the English Devolution Bill we will introduce a strong new ‘right to buy’ for valued community assets, which will help this Government safeguard our high streets. This measure will empower local communities to reclaim and revitalise empty shops, pubs, and community spaces, helping to revamp our high streets and eliminate the blight of vacant premises.In addition, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund continues to fund £3 million worth of projects in North Cornwall, such as refurbishing buildings to make them fit for purpose.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to give the Cornish language protected status under the provisions of Articles 8-14 of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.

The Government has received a request from Cornwall Council to extend the protection of the Cornish language from Part II to Part III of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages. The request is currently being considered and a formal response will be issued in due course.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to allow local authorities to increase Council Tax by up to 500% on second homes.

From April 2025 councils will have the power to charge a premium of up to 100% on second homes.Future local authority funding decisions will be a matter for the next Spending Review and Local Government Finance Settlement in which we are engaged.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to introduce a new planning use class for (a) second homes and (b) short-term lets.

We recognise that whilst short-term lets and second homes can benefit the tourist economy, we need to protect local communities, including ensuring the availability of housing to rent or buy. We are currently considering how best to achieve these aims.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of requiring planning permission for converting permanent accommodation into non-permanent accommodation.

We recognise that whilst short-term lets and second homes can benefit the tourist economy, we need to protect local communities, including ensuring the availability of housing to rent or buy. We are currently considering how best to achieve these aims.