Every parliamentary written question tabled by Blake Stephenson this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 301–320 of 321 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the capacity available at the Local Government Boundary Commission for England to draft electoral boundaries for new unitary authorities.
My department is liaising closely with the Local Government Boundary Commission for England so that they are involved at the appropriate time to ensure fair electoral arrangements across the area of any new unitary local authorities.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 2.2.1 of her Department's English Devolution White Paper, published 16 December 2024, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority becoming a Strategic Authority notwithstanding having a population below 1.5 million.
The English Devolution White Paper sets out clear principles this Government will have regard to when considering proposals for new devolution agreements. This includes a new default assumption that proposals cover a combined population of 1.5 million or above to ensure they can deliver at a strategic scale, and must not create devolution ‘islands’ by leaving areas which are too small to go it alone or which do not have natural partners. There are a limited number of circumstances where it may be necessary to consider proposals that do not meet these principles, and Government will assess these proposals on a case-by-case basis.All existing Combined Authorities, including Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, will automatically be classified as Strategic Authorities. The Government will consider locally developed proposals for changes to existing Strategic Authority boundaries where they meet the principles set out the in the White Paper.
Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of developers transferring sustainable urban drainage systems to Internal Drainage Boards for ongoing maintenance.
The government is committed to securing the delivery of high-quality sustainable drainage systems to help manage flood risk and adapt to the effects of climate change.National Planning Guidance is clear that local authorities should be satisfied that all Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems have clear maintenance and adoption arrangements in place for the lifetime of a development.We will consider whether further changes are required to manage sustainable drainage systems provision through the planning system when we consult on further reform.We will also consult this year on options to reduce the prevalence of private estate management arrangements to end the injustice of ‘fleecehold’.
Communities and Local Government, if she will publish any advice her Department has provided to local authorities on development on flood plains since July 2024 .
The government is committed to building the homes the country needs while ensuring they are safe from flooding.The National Planning Policy Framework, which was revised in December 2024, is clear that new housing and most other forms of development should not be permitted in functional flood plains.Estimates have not been made of the number of homes which might, exceptionally, be built on flood plans, but development proposals would have to pass robust tests to proceed in such locations.December’s update to the National Planning Policy Framework clarified how the flood risk sequential test should be applied to new development, which is one of the policy tools to steer development away from areas of high flood risk.
Communities and Local Government, what estimate her Department has made of the number of houses that may be build on flood plains between July 2024 and July 2029.
The government is committed to building the homes the country needs while ensuring they are safe from flooding.The National Planning Policy Framework, which was revised in December 2024, is clear that new housing and most other forms of development should not be permitted in functional flood plains.Estimates have not been made of the number of homes which might, exceptionally, be built on flood plans, but development proposals would have to pass robust tests to proceed in such locations.December’s update to the National Planning Policy Framework clarified how the flood risk sequential test should be applied to new development, which is one of the policy tools to steer development away from areas of high flood risk.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of making Internal Drainage Boards a statutory consultee on planning applications.
The government recently declared a moratorium on any new statutory consultees, along with a review of the existing statutory consultee arrangements to ensure they align with the government’s ambitions for growth. Any further announcements will be subject to this review.Separately, an independent review of the water sector’s regulatory system was launched in October 2024, with the aim of enhancing water management and cross-border challenges. Findings are expected in early 2025.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the impact of the current role of Internal Drainage Boards on the planning process.
The government recently declared a moratorium on any new statutory consultees, along with a review of the existing statutory consultee arrangements to ensure they align with the government’s ambitions for growth. Any further announcements will be subject to this review.Separately, an independent review of the water sector’s regulatory system was launched in October 2024, with the aim of enhancing water management and cross-border challenges. Findings are expected in early 2025.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the performance of the planning inspectorate.
The government is committed to the efficient handling of planning casework, including by means of ensuring there is sufficient resourcing in the Planning Inspectorate to support such activity. The Inspectorate regularly publishes updates on its performance.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of resources available to the planning inspectorate.
The government is committed to the efficient handling of planning casework, including by means of ensuring there is sufficient resourcing in the Planning Inspectorate to support such activity. The Inspectorate regularly publishes updates on its performance.
Communities and Local Government, if her Department will make an estimate of the potential impact of increases to employers’ National Insurance for (a) Bedford Borough Council and (b) Central Bedfordshire Council.
The government has announced an additional £515 million of support for local government in England specifically to manage the impact of changes to employer NICs announced at the Autumn Budget.Final allocations to local authorities will be published alongside final positions on methodology as part of the final Local Government Finance Settlement in early February 2025.
Communities and Local Government, how much funding her Department is providing to (a) Bedford Borough Council and (b) Central Bedfordshire Council to cover the increased cost of employers’ National Insurance.
The government has announced an additional £515 million of support for local government in England specifically to manage the impact of changes to employer NICs announced at the Autumn Budget.Final allocations to local authorities will be published alongside final positions on methodology as part of the final Local Government Finance Settlement in early February 2025.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential role of (a) ancient and (b) veteran trees in place-making for (i) large-scale new towns and (ii) urban extensions.
The government is committed to delivering a new generation of new towns. We have made clear these must be well-connected, well-designed, sustainable and attractive places where people want to live and that they must have all the infrastructure, amenities ...
Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the Tree Protection Order regime in protecting (a) ancient and (b) veteran trees.
Ancient woodland and ancient and veteran trees are already strictly protected in national planning policy, while Tree Preservation orders safeguard individual trees or groups of trees of particular value. Local planning authorities have the principal resp...
Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of granting additional protections to (a) ancient and (b) veteran trees in planning policy.
Ancient woodland and ancient and veteran trees are already strictly protected in national planning policy, while Tree Preservation orders safeguard individual trees or groups of trees of particular value. Local planning authorities have the principal resp...
Communities and Local Government, how much she expects the non-Council Tax element of the core spending power of (a) Central Bedfordshire Council and (b) Bedford Borough Council to increase in 2025/26.
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.We will set out ...
Communities and Local Government, how much she expects (a) Central Bedfordshire Council and (b) Bedford Borough Council to increase council tax in 2025/26.
Council tax levels are decided by each council. The local government finance policy statement 2025 to 2026 proposed a core council tax referendum limit of up to 3% and an adult social care precept of 2% for all local authorities responsible for adult soci...
Communities and Local Government, what changes she expects to make to governance arrangements in Bedfordshire through the English Devolution White Paper.
In July, the Deputy Prime Minister invited places without devolution agreements, including Bedfordshire, to come forward and submit devolution proposals for their areas. This process closed in September and the government is now working closely with local...
Communities and Local Government, if she will require local authorities to refer planning decisions where the Environment Agency objects for a call in.
Local planning authorities are currently required to refer certain planning applications where they are minded to grant planning permission. Such applications include proposals for major development in a flood risk area to which the Environment Agency has...
Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to ensure that local planning authorities use the Environment Agency’s forthcoming NaFRA2 data.
National planning policy and guidance expects flood risk assessments to consider all sources of flooding, and to take the most up-to-date information into account, which will include the Environment Agency’s forthcoming NaFRA2 data.During the course of ne...
Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of reforming the planning system to introduce new measures to help reduce flood risk.
The government recognises the devastating impact which flooding can have on communities, and the role the planning system plays in directing development to areas of lowest possible flood risk. National planning policy is clear that inappropriate developme...