Every parliamentary written question tabled by Kevin Hollinrake this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 901–920 of 1,583 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to make changes to the cost of (a) Lawful Development Certificate and (b) householder planning consent application in relation to making changes to the windows of an existing dwelling.
The fee for the enlargement, improvement or other alteration of a dwellinghouse will increase to £528 from 1 April 2025. The fee for lawful development certificates will vary depending on the type of development involved.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 24 February 2025 to Question 30226 on Children’s Play: Business Rates, whether children’s soft play centres are entitled to retail, hospitality and leisure business rate relief; and what Special Category Code the Valuation Office Agency uses to categorise such hereditaments.
The administration of business rates, including billing, enforcement and decisions on the award of relief, including for the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief Scheme is the responsibility of local councils. They do so having regard to the guidance published by the government.The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is responsible for valuation matters. Soft play centres occupy a range of different types of building from retail premises to warehouse units and leisure centres. There is no specific VOA special category code that covers all soft play centres, they are attributed a special category code dependant on the type of premises in which they are located.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 21 February 2025 to Question 30144 on Chinese Embassy: Planning Inspectorate, if she will (a) list the representations that were received after the deadline, but which have been accepted by the Inspector and (b) state how many representations were submitted late but not accepted.
The representations which were received after the deadline that were accepted by the Inspector can be viewed in the inquiry library here.The number of representations submitted after the deadline and not accepted by the Inspector stands at 33 as of 12 March 2025.
Communities and Local Government, what the latest timetable is for the Grenfell memorial.
The government is fully committed to supporting the independent Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission in the creation of a fitting and lasting memorial, determined by the community, to honour those who lost their lives, and those whose lives were forever changed, by the tragedy. In July 2024, the Commission, supported by the government and the Royal Institute for British Architects (RIBA), launched the process to select a team to work with the community to design a future memorial on the Grenfell Tower site. Five teams were shortlisted in January and asked to further develop their design approach. The chosen design team will work with bereaved families, survivors and local residents, throughout 2026 to develop a detailed design for the memorial, with the community closely involved through-out.
Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to expand existing unitary authorities.
The English Devolution White Paper announced a programme of local government reorganisation for two-tier areas, and set out that Government will also facilitate reorganisation for those unitary councils where there is evidence of failure or where their size or boundaries are impacting on their responsibilities. Some of these councils are included in the invitations to develop proposals for reorganisation that were sent to all councils in two-tier areas and neighbouring small unitaries on the 5th February. Following submission, we will consider any and all proposals carefully before taking decisions on how to proceed. We will evaluate each case on its own merits against the criteria set out in the letter which includes that proposals should be for a “sensible geography”. The Government is open to discussions with all areas where structural change will help them get onto a more sustainable footing.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 26 February 2025 to Question 24223 on Freedom of Expression, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of introducing a definition of Islamophobia on legal rights to freedom of expression relating to blasphemy.
The Government has established a new working group to provide government with a definition of Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia, advising government and other bodies on how to best understand, quantify and define prejudice, discrimination, and hate crime targeted against Muslims. The group’s proposed definition must be compatible with the unchanging right of British citizens to exercise freedom of speech and expression. The Government has been clear that there is no blasphemy law in England, and we will not introduce one.
Communities and Local Government, what her policy is on doughnut-sized unitary local authorities.
The English Devolution White Paper announced a programme of local government reorganisation for two-tier areas, and set out that Government will also facilitate reorganisation for those unitary councils where there is evidence of failure or where their size or boundaries are impacting on their responsibilities. Some of these councils are included in the invitations to develop proposals for reorganisation that were sent to all councils in two-tier areas and neighbouring small unitaries on the 5th February. Following submission, we will consider any and all proposals carefully before taking decisions on how to proceed. We will evaluate each case on its own merits against the criteria set out in the letter which includes that proposals should be for a “sensible geography”. The Government is open to discussions with all areas where structural change will help them get onto a more sustainable footing.
Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support open data across-council look up database for (a) councillor contact details and (b) polling station addresses.
The Electoral Commission provide a comprehensive tool to support electors in finding their local polling station address at https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/your-election-information. Electors enter their postcode, and the tool shows them where their nearest polling station is. Polling station details are also included on poll cards sent to every elector ahead of relevant electoral events. The Department does not currently provide open data across-council look up database for councillor contact details. A tool on gov.uk exists to find your local council https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council.
Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with the Public and Commercial Services Union on industrial action in her Department; and whether a formal notice of industrial action has been issued.
The Public and Commercial Services Union has declared a Trade Dispute with the Department and is balloting members on industrial action. Discussions with Trade Union representatives on a range of issues continue to take place.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 26 February 2025 to Question 31044 on Planning: Reform, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of listing the names of the organisational respondents to a consultation in its summary of consultation responses.
The Department does not routinely publish a list of organisations responding to public consultations. Many organisations choose to publish their responses on their websites.
Communities and Local Government, whether her Department collects data on the number of known rough sleepers that have been offered statutory support by local authorities.
Statutory homelessness statistics can be found here. Tables: A4P, A4R provide information on number of households who are owed a prevention or relief duty, broken down by accommodation at the time of application, including rough sleeping.
Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to restructure London Boroughs.
On 5 February 2025 the Government formally invited unitary proposals from all the councils in two tier areas and their neighbouring small unitaries. No London Boroughs were included in this invitation.
Communities and Local Government, for what reason BRE group will continue to certify (a) cladding, (b) insulation and (c) other products.
The BRE is a conformity assessment body accredited by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS). Following the criticisms of BRE in the Grenfell Inquiry, UKAS has conducted additional assessments of the BRE, and we are working closely with UKAS to understand how BRE intends to address the identified failings.Government has published a construction product reform green paper which includes proposals on the capacity, competence and oversight of conformity assessment bodies. We are addressing these criticisms through the government response to recommendations as set out in the green paper published on 26 February 2025, as part of measures for system wide reform. Our proposals include new requirements and obligations on conformity assessment bodies, including that they must obtain a licence from the national regulator, and be subject to a statutory code. This will improve confidence in the rigour and competency of conformity assessment bodies. Following this consultation, we will set out the government’s initial response and our next steps for long term reform.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the (a) abolition of ground rents and (b) creation of commonhold tenure on the purchase price of new build flats.
As set out in the Commonhold White Paper published on 3 March 2025, the government are continuing to develop proposals and consulting with experts on the best way to achieve our aim of a more accessible route to conversion. It is our intention to set out further detail on the approved proposals for conversions in the draft Leasehold and Commonhold Bill later this year, alongside the reforms for commonhold and new supply. As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244), the government remains firmly committed to its manifesto commitment to tackle unregulated and unaffordable ground rents, and we will deliver this in legislation.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 25 February 2025 to Question 31491 on Housing: Windows, whether her Department holds records of which local authorities have issued Article 4 directions for removing permitted development rights.
A local planning authority must, as soon as practicable after confirming an article 4 direction, inform the Secretary of State. Records of Article 4 Directions made by local authorities dating back to April 2018 are held.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of service charges for (a) unadopted roads and (b) community spaces in (i) new build housing and (ii) private estate developments.
My Department does not hold data on the level of estate management charges for specific services. Data was, however, provided by the Competition and Markets Authority as part of their recent housebuilding market study which can be found on gov.uk here. The government is determined to end the injustice of ‘fleecehold’ entirely and we will consult this year on legislative and policy options to reduce the prevalence of private estate management arrangements, which are the root cause of the problems experienced by many residential freeholders. This consultation will help gather further data on this matter. The government remain committed to protecting residential freeholders on private and mixed-tenure housing estates from unfair charges. This year we will consult on implementing the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act’s new consumer protection provisions for the up to 1.75m homes that are subject to these charges, and bring these measures into force as quickly as possible thereafter. These include ensuring that homeowners who pay an estate management charge have better access to information they need to understand what they are paying for, the right to challenge the reasonableness at the First-tier Tribunal (in England), and to go to the tribunal to appoint a substitute manager.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report: Government response, published on 26 February 2025, whether she plans to implement recommendations accepted in principle in full.
The government has accepted all the findings of the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report, and we will take forward all of the recommendations. We are committed to fixing all of the problems highlighted by the recommendations, including those we have accepted in principle. We will make sure that we achieve the best outcomes for the public where the implementation of a recommendation requires further consideration, such as through public consultation.Where the delivery of recommendations or wider commitments we have made in the response document require legislation, we will deliver these measures as soon as parliamentary time allows.
Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to convert existing leasehold flats to commonhold tenure; and whether conversion will be voluntary.
As set out in the Commonhold White Paper published on 3 March 2025, the government are continuing to develop proposals and consulting with experts on the best way to achieve our aim of a more accessible route to conversion. It is our intention to set out further detail on the approved proposals for conversions in the draft Leasehold and Commonhold Bill later this year, alongside the reforms for commonhold and new supply. As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244), the government remains firmly committed to its manifesto commitment to tackle unregulated and unaffordable ground rents, and we will deliver this in legislation.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report: Government response, published on 26 February 2025, what her planned timetable is for (a) primary and (b) secondary legislation on (i) fire and (ii) building safety.
The government has accepted all the findings of the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report, and we will take forward all of the recommendations. We are committed to fixing all of the problems highlighted by the recommendations, including those we have accepted in principle. We will make sure that we achieve the best outcomes for the public where the implementation of a recommendation requires further consideration, such as through public consultation.Where the delivery of recommendations or wider commitments we have made in the response document require legislation, we will deliver these measures as soon as parliamentary time allows.
Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 on types of tenure used in new build development.
As set out in the Commonhold White Paper published on 3 March 2025, the government are continuing to develop proposals and consulting with experts on the best way to achieve our aim of a more accessible route to conversion. It is our intention to set out further detail on the approved proposals for conversions in the draft Leasehold and Commonhold Bill later this year, alongside the reforms for commonhold and new supply. As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244), the government remains firmly committed to its manifesto commitment to tackle unregulated and unaffordable ground rents, and we will deliver this in legislation.