Written questions by Stephenson.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an estimate of the total cost to the public purse of the work of the New Towns Taskforce.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 22561 on 27 January 2025.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, what electoral system will be used to elect mayors created under this plan.

The voting system for unitary elections is First Past the Post.For Mayoral Elections, I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 20691 on 19 December 2024.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, what her planned timetable is for (a) smaller and (b) failing unitaries to develop proposals for local government reorganisation.

The English Devolution White Paper announced that we will facilitate a programme of local government reorganisation for two-tier areas, and for unitary councils where there is evidence of failure or where their size or boundaries may be hindering their ability to deliver sustainable and high-quality public services.On 16 December, I wrote to all councils in two-tier areas and to neighbouring small unitaries alongside the English Devolution White Paper, to set out our plans. I intend to formally invite unitary proposals in January 2025 from these councils and I will ask for interim plans in March. I am open to hearing from other councils who consider reorganisation will put them on a more sustainable footing. As set out in the White Paper, I will take a phased approach to delivery, taking into account where reorganisation can unlock devolution, where areas are keen to move quickly or where it can help address wider failings.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, what her definition is of (a) smaller and (b) failing unitaries.

The English Devolution White Paper announced that we will facilitate a programme of local government reorganisation for two-tier areas, and for unitary councils where there is evidence of failure or where their size or boundaries may be hindering their ability to deliver sustainable and high-quality public services.On 16 December, I wrote to all councils in two-tier areas and to neighbouring small unitaries alongside the English Devolution White Paper, to set out our plans. I intend to formally invite unitary proposals in January 2025 from these councils and I will ask for interim plans in March. I am open to hearing from other councils who consider reorganisation will put them on a more sustainable footing. As set out in the White Paper, I will take a phased approach to delivery, taking into account where reorganisation can unlock devolution, where areas are keen to move quickly or where it can help address wider failings.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, how she plans to designate (a) smaller and (b) failing unitaries.

The English Devolution White Paper announced that we will facilitate a programme of local government reorganisation for two-tier areas, and for unitary councils where there is evidence of failure or where their size or boundaries may be hindering their ability to deliver sustainable and high-quality public services.On 16 December, I wrote to all councils in two-tier areas and to neighbouring small unitaries alongside the English Devolution White Paper, to set out our plans. I intend to formally invite unitary proposals in January 2025 from these councils and I will ask for interim plans in March. I am open to hearing from other councils who consider reorganisation will put them on a more sustainable footing. As set out in the White Paper, I will take a phased approach to delivery, taking into account where reorganisation can unlock devolution, where areas are keen to move quickly or where it can help address wider failings.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, whether she plans to require local consultations to be carried out ahead of local government reorganisation.

For local government reorganisation, it will be essential for councils to work with local partners, stakeholders, and MPs, to develop plans for sustainable unitary structures capable of delivering the high-quality public services that residents need and deserve. It is for councils to decide how best to engage locally, including with residents, in a meaningful and constructive way when developing their proposals.We will consult a range of stakeholders in areas where we receive proposals for reorganisation, as required by statute. I will write to local authorities in further detail, inviting proposals for local government reorganisation and setting out the criteria to be used to assess proposals, in due course.

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, with reference to paragraph 2.2.1 of her Department's English Devolution White Paper published 16 December 2024, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the creation of devolution island local authority areas on adjoining Mayoral Strategic Authorities.

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, what ratio of Councillors to electors she expects new unitary authorities to be created with.

As set out in the White Paper, we want to see stronger community arrangements when reorganisation happens in the way councils engage at a neighbourhood or area level. My department is liaising closely with the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) so that they are involved at the appropriate time to ensure fair electoral arrangements across the area of any new unitary local authorities.The LGBCE’s approach during electoral reviews is that there are no set ratios of the number of electors each councillor should represent. The ratio flows from the number of councillors an authority should have. An authority has a unique set of characteristics which determines this and the LGBCE’s approach is outlined in its electoral review guidance. There are no set limits on the number of councillors although the guidance indicates that a compelling case would be needed for a council size of more than 100 members or less than 30.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, what electoral system new unitary authority areas will use.

The voting system for unitary elections is First Past the Post.For Mayoral Elections, I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 20691 on 19 December 2024.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of transferring balancing ponds owned by National Highways to Internal Drainage Boards.

No such assessments have been undertaken on the potential merits of transferring ownership of balancing ponds.

If he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the UK’s statistics authorities at identifying rural deprivation.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.A response from the Director General for Office for Statistics Regulation to the Hon. Gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 24 January is attached.

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, 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, 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.

If she will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of maintaining balancing ponds owned by National Highways.

Maintenance costs for the Strategic Road Network (SRN) are borne by National Highways and their financial systems do not categorise spending to the level of sub-asset class granularity. I, therefore, cannot provide a reliable estimate for the costs of maintaining balancing ponds.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the suitability for policy-making of existing measures of rural deprivation.

Defra has contributed funding to investigate rural deprivation as part of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s (MHCLG) work to update the English Indices of Deprivation. This collaborative work is considering what deprivation in rural areas is, data sources and methods to help quantify it and more formal guidance on the use of the Indices and their application to rural areas. A report on rural deprivation will be part of the updated English Indices of Deprivation anticipated in Autumn 2025.

What assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the maintenance regime for balancing ponds owned by National Highways.

The maintenance requirements of the Strategic Road Network (SRN) are governed by a robust set of standards - the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) - and National Highways determines the maintenance works to be undertaken on all assets, based on the GM701 standard which details asset maintenance requirements. While no specific assessment has been made by the Department on the effectiveness of the standards for maintaining SRN balancing ponds, standards are continually evolving in line with best practice.

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.