Every parliamentary written question tabled by Caroline Dinenage this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–15 of 15 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Communities and Local Government, what his timetable is for (a) responding to the consultation on the private parking code of practice and (b) laying the code before Parliament; and if he will make a statement.
The Government is considering carefully the consultation findings and intends to lay the Code in autumn 2026.
Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to include a reference to noise levels in part 4 of the updated National Planning Policy Framework.
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that planning policies and decisions should prevent new and existing development from contributing to, being put at unacceptable risk from, or being adversely affected by, unacceptable levels of noise pollution. The government is currently consulting on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), including a new chapter (17) on Pollution, Public Protection and Security. This sets out that development proposals should not result in levels of noise exposure which would have a significant observed adverse effect. This is defined as the level of noise exposure above which significant adverse effects on health and quality of life occur. The consultation will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026 and can be found on gov.uk here.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of putting the agent of change principle on a statutory footing on i) the speed of the planning process ii) the number of grassroots music venues iii) new housing starts iv) urban development.
The agent of change policy is given effect through the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which makes clear that where the operation of an existing business or community facility could have a significant adverse effect on new development in its vicinity, the applicant (or ‘agent of change’) should be required to provide suitable mitigation before the development has been completed. The government is currently consulting on a new NPPF that includes clearer, ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making. The consultation includes a proposed update to the agent of change policy which sets out in more detail the types of matters which should be considered. These include early engagement with existing uses to identify potential impacts; the use of planning conditions to secure agreed mitigation measures; and the need to consider both current and permitted levels of activity to reduce the risk of conflict. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.
Communities and Local Government, whether he will provide guidance to developers on the role of the agent of change principle in pre-application engagement.
The agent of change policy is given effect through the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which makes clear that where the operation of an existing business or community facility could have a significant adverse effect on new development in its vicinity, the applicant (or ‘agent of change’) should be required to provide suitable mitigation before the development has been completed. The government is currently consulting on a new NPPF that includes clearer, ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making. The consultation includes a proposed update to the agent of change policy which sets out in more detail the types of matters which should be considered. These include early engagement with existing uses to identify potential impacts; the use of planning conditions to secure agreed mitigation measures; and the need to consider both current and permitted levels of activity to reduce the risk of conflict. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.
Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of Local Authorities contracting funeral services where those services fall outside of a Local Authority's obligations under Section 46 of the Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984.
Local authorities are independent of central government. My department has made no estimate of the number of the number of local authorities contracting funeral services outside of their obligations.
Communities and Local Government, when he plans to respond to the consultation entitled Strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services: consultation, which closed on 26 September 2025.
My Department is currently analysing responses to this consultation and will respond in due course.
Communities and Local Government, what the average increase in social housing rents was in Gosport constituency in 2024-25.
Government policy limits how much rents are permitted to increase each year for Social Rent and Affordable Rent homes let by registered providers of social housing.In 2024-25, these rents were permitted to increase by up to CPI+1% based on the CPI rate in September 2023 (6.7%), which meant that rents were permitted to increase by up to 7.7%.The Regulator of Social Housing collects annual data from registered providers of social housing regarding their rents, which can be viewed by local authority area. Data for the year 2024-25 is scheduled to be released on 28 October. Statistics for previous years, along with a look-up tool, can be found on gov.uk here.
Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to make adherence to the Service Charge Residential Management Code mandatory for residential leasehold property managers.
The current edition of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Service Charge Residential Management Code, approved in 2016 using powers under Section 87 of the Leasehold Reform and Urban Development Act 1993, may be used as evidence by the First-tier Tribunal or County Court in any decisions they make. Failure to comply with the Code alone does not make a managing agent or landlord liable to court/tribunal proceedings.We intend to strengthen the regulation of managing agents by introducing mandatory professional qualifications that will set a new basic standard that managing agents will be required to meet. Proposals to that effect are set out in our consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services, which can be found on gov.uk here.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of trends in the number of (a) properties and (b) property management companies owned by private equity firms on (i) service charges paid by and (ii) the quality of services provided to residents of leasehold properties.
My Department does not hold data on the impact of properties and property management companies owned by private equity firms on service charges and the quality of services provided to residents of leasehold properties.On 4 July, the government published a consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services. It can be found on gov.uk here. For an overview of the proposals set out in the consultation, I refer the hon. Member to the associated Written Ministerial Statement (HCWS780). We invite views on the proposals from leaseholders and all those involved in managing leasehold buildings.
Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring landlords to re-tender for a new property management company when than 50% of all leaseholders support re-tendering.
On 4 July, the government published a consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services. It can be found on gov.uk here.The consultation seeks views on proposals to strengthen regulation of managing agents, including powers to appoint a manager or replace a managing agent and the introduction of mandatory professional qualifications for managing agents.The government will set out further measures to strengthen regulation of managing agents in due course.
Communities and Local Government, whether her plans for English devolution will give Mayors powers over waterborne transport networks.
The government understands how important maritime transport is in the Solent region, and the role that waterborne transport networks play in the local transport strategy. Chapter 3 of the English Devolution White Paper sets out the responsibilities of strategic authorities and does not contain any specific powers over waterborne transport networks. However, other strategic authorities have used their wider transport powers to support local waterborne transport networks. The White Paper also sets out the floor of our ambition, not the ceiling, and we will regularly review and evaluate the powers available to strategic authorities in collaboration with them.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of (a) local government reorganisation and (b) housing targets on (i) air quality, (ii) parks per capita, (iii) household waste volume, (iv) recycling rates, (v) greenhouse gas emissions and (vi) annual energy consumption in Gosport.
In regard to local government reorganisation, on the 5 February I invited unitary proposals from all two-tier councils and neighbouring unitaries including those councils in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton. It will be for local councils to consider the delivery of public services and potential impacts as they develop their proposals for reorganisation.The invitations were clear that proposals should be supported by robust evidence and analysis and include an explanation of the outcomes it is expected to achieve. As set out in the published criteria, proposals should be for a sensible geography which will help to increase housing supply and meet local needs.The government is clear all local planning authorities should continue work on local plans and get them in place as soon as possible. While the implications of local government reorganisation will be considered in light of the specific circumstances of any given area, local plans should still be progressed as they will act as the foundation for any new plans as required.To inform this, local planning authorities are expected to use the government's revised standard method to assess housing needs. This is a starting point used by councils to inform the preparation of their local development plans.The revised National Planning Policy Framework should be taken into account by local planning authorities when preparing their local plans. The Framework sets out strong policies to improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote low-carbon energy use. It also provides strong protections for existing open space, including playing fields and formal play spaces. The revised National Planning Policy Framework should be read in conjunction with the government’s planning policy for waste.
Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of changes in the Autumn Budget 2024 to the level of funding for cultural regeneration through levelling up projects on (a) local economic regeneration and (b) the maintenance of cultural assets.
The Autumn Budget 2024 confirmed that the government is minded to cancel unfunded Levelling Up Culture and Capital Projects, and the West Midlands culture and inward investment funding, that were announced at Spring Budget 2024, but will consult with potential funding recipients before making a final decision. This consultation is now underway.Potential recipients have been given the opportunity until mid-December to set out the financial, strategic and community impacts which withdrawing this funding would have. Ministers will then take these into consideration and will confirm the outcome of this process as soon as possible.
Communities and Local Government, what discussions her Department has had with stakeholders on levelling up funding decisions for previously announced (a) culture and (b) regeneration projects, in the context of the Autumn Budget 2024.
The Autumn Budget 2024 confirmed that the government is minded to cancel unfunded Levelling Up Culture and Capital Projects, and the West Midlands culture and inward investment funding, that were announced at Spring Budget 2024, but will consult with potential funding recipients before making a final decision. This consultation is now underway.Potential recipients have been given the opportunity until mid-December to set out the financial, strategic and community impacts which withdrawing this funding would have. Ministers will then take these into consideration and will confirm the outcome of this process as soon as possible.
Communities and Local Government, if she will amend the Future Homes and Buildings Standards to ensure that all newbuild homes include solar photovoltaic panels.
Future standards next year will set our new homes and buildings on a path that moves away from relying on volatile fossil fuels and ensures they are fit for a net zero future. This will support our ambition that the 1.5 million homes we will build over the course of this parliament will be high quality, well designed and sustainable. That is why the Deputy Prime Minister and I are clear that rooftop solar should play an important role, where appropriate, as part of the future standards for homes and buildings. Responses to the recent Future Homes and Buildings standards consultation are being reviewed, and government will publish a response in due course.