Written questions by Hollinrake.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme 2025 carbon price on the (a) housebuilding sector and (b) her Department's housebuilding targets.

The housebuilding sector is not covered by the UK Emissions Trading Scheme so the effects on the sector are not assessed.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2025 to Question 21621 on Unitary Councils, whether there is a recommended (a) minimum and (b) maximum geographical area for the size of a unitary council.

In our unitary invitation we have set out guidance to support councils as they develop proposals that are in the best interests of their areas. This includes guidance on issues of size, sensible geographies, efficiencies and financial sustainability, public service delivery, community engagement and devolution. Proposals should be for a sensible geography which will help to increase housing supply and meet local needs. It is for councils to develop robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of their whole area.

Communities and Local Government, whether local authorities will be (a) encouraged and (b) required to update neighbourhood plans following changes to the National Planning Policy Framework.

There is no requirement to update a neighbourhood plan. However, we recognise some communities may wish to update their plans in response to changes to the National Planning Policy Framework.Groups continue to receive the financial and technical support they have been awarded for both the production and updating of neighbourhood plans.We will make announcements in due course regarding the new support contract for 2025-26 and beyond, but intend to open for new applications from Summer 2025.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has undertaken any post-implementation evaluation of previous local government reorganisations.

As set out in the English Devolution White Paper we will learn from the experience and successes of others who have been through the process. We welcome the partnership approach that is being taken across the sector to respond to the ambitious plans set out in the White Paper, including sharing expertise on delivering reorganisation effectively given each areas’ unique circumstances. For North Yorkshire Council, established in April 2023, unitarisation has enabled the council to manage financial pressures through structural changes and service transformation which are expected to achieve more than £40 million in savings by March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, what information her Department holds on the amount Birmingham City Council (a) raised in council tax in 2024-25 and (b) paid out in employer contributions to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

The government will publish data on the amount of council tax collected by billing authorities through the financial year in June, in the usual way. The Department collects limited information on employers’ retirement benefit costs for a sample of authorities in order to estimate the subjective analysis return statistics, published as part of the local authority revenue expenditure and financing England statistics. This sample includes Birmingham council and data for 2024-25 will be collected later in 2025.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the ending of the statutory override for the Dedicated Schools Grant on the financial viability of local authority budgets.

The government recognises the impact that Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficits are having on councils’ finances and will continue to work with the sector on a way forward.The government intends to set out plans for reforming the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) system in further detail this year. This will include details of how we will support local authorities to deal with their historic and accruing deficits and any transition period from the current SEND system to the reformed system. This will inform any decision to remove the DSG statutory override.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the end of the statutory override for the Dedicated Schools Grant on the ability of local authorities to set General Fund Accounts.

The government recognises the impact that Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficits are having on councils’ finances and will continue to work with the sector on a way forward.The government intends to set out plans for reforming the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) system in further detail this year. This will include details of how we will support local authorities to deal with their historic and accruing deficits and any transition period from the current SEND system to the reformed system. This will inform any decision to remove the DSG statutory override.

Communities and Local Government, what the cost to the public purse is for the work of the New Towns Taskforce since it was established in September 2024.

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

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of (a) unitary structures and (b) fewer councillors on the workload of councillors.

Unitary councils can lead to better outcomes for residents, save significant money which can be reinvested in public services, and improve accountability with fewer politicians, but more empowered who are more able to focus on delivering for residents. My department will continue to work closely with councils, and with the Local Government Association (LGA), the District Councils Network, the County Councils Network and other local government partners to plan how best to support councils through this process.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to hold local referendums on proposed local government mergers.

There are no plans to make a policy to hold local referendums on proposed local government mergers. Proposals for unitary local government must meet local needs and be informed by local views. It is for councils to decide how best to engage locally in a meaningful and constructive way and this engagement activity should be evidenced in a proposal.Once a proposal has been submitted it will be for the Government to decide on taking a proposal forward and to consult as required by statute.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the reliability of the Pedestrian Comfort Assessment prepared by Arup used by the Metropolitan Police to withdraw their objection.

An appointed Inspector held a public inquiry which heard a range of evidence for and against the proposals in question.As this case will come before ministers in MHCLG to determine, it would not be appropriate to comment further.Decisions on planning applications are based on material planning considerations.

Communities and Local Government, what the status is of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in UK (a) law and (b) governance.

The European Charter of Local Self-Government is an international legal instrument, and as such, the principles of local self-government which it enumerates are recognised in the domestic legislation that makes provision for the powers and procedures of local government. We will continue to fully comply with our obligations under the Charter.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2025 to Question 23146 on Local Plans, how many times local planning authorities will be required to update their local development plans during this Parliament.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 20841 on 7 January 2025 and the answer to UIN 23146 on 21 January 2025.Local planning authorities should review local development plans once every five years from their adoption date to ensure that policies remain relevant and that they address the needs of the local community.However, there will be occasions where there are significant changes in circumstances which may mean it is necessary to review the relevant strategic policies earlier.

Communities and Local Government, whether national security considerations relating to (a) foreign interference and (b) spying are a valid material consideration in the planning process.

National Planning Policy Framework paragraph 102 sets out how planning policies and decisions should promote public safety and take into account wider security and defence requirements. Each case is considered on their own merits.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2025 to Question 21621 on Unitary Councils, whether her Department has issued guidance on the (a) number of electoral wards, (b) total number of councillors and (c) residents per councillor in each new unitary council.

My department is working 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.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her oral statement on 5 February 2025 on English Devolution and Local Government, Official Report, Column 766, what the upfront costs are of local government reorganisation in each of the next three years.

The upfront costs of local government reorganisation will be a matter for local councils to consider as they develop their proposals for reorganisation. As set out in the English Devolution White Paper, a PWC 2020 report estimated that reorganisation of the then 25 two-tier areas to a single unitary would have a one-off cost of £400 million, with the potential to realise £2.9 billion over five years, with an annual post-implementation net recurring saving of £700 million.It will be for the new councils to achieve the efficiencies identified in reorganisation proposals and subsequent detailed implementation and transformation plans while delivering high quality and sustainable public services to local residents and businesses. We are working with areas to understand the costs of taking forward proposals and implementation of new unitary structures.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2025 to Question 23350 on Council Tax, whether her estimate of the (a) total level and (b) annual increase in average Band D council tax in England including parish precepts has changed since the publication of the final local government finance settlement on 3 February 2025.

Council tax levels are decided by local authorities, taking account of their local circumstances. The Government will publish data on the council tax levels set by all authorities and the average Band D bill for 2025-26, in England, in March.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to streamline (a) planning policy and (b) planning guidance.

The government published a revised National Planning Policy Framework on 12 December 2024.Last week, the government published revising Planning Practice Guidance to support local planning authorities in their plan making. Further details can be found in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 27 February (HCWS480).The government intends to take further steps to streamline the delivery of homes and infrastructure through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill which will be introduced in the coming months.We also intend to produce a set of national policies for decision making this year that will make national policy more accessible and understandable. We will consult on these in the Spring and further details will be set out in due course.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with the Mayor of London on the potential impact of regulatory requirements (a) in the London Plan and (b) nationally on levels of housebuilding in London.

The Secretary of State meets with the Mayor of London regularly to discuss a range of matters, including regulatory requirements and housing delivery.The Mayor of London has commenced work on the next London Plan which will be submitted to the Secretary of State in due course.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement of 12 February 2025 on Further support for social and affordable housebuilding and next steps on supported housing, HCWS447, what the estimated average grant subsidy per unit is by tenure type for the Local Authority Housing Fund third round.

The amount of grant provided under the third round of the Local Authority Housing Fund is calculated relative to local property prices. We provide a grant of 40% of the median house price in the local authority area, or 50% for larger homes.On the 12 February the government committed a further £50 million in new funding and around £30 million of reallocated funds taking the total funding available to £530 million. Based on the total expected commitment and outcomes, the average grant rate for each home delivered will be c. £196k.We do not provide different grant rates for tenures under the Local Authority Housing Fund, but we do require that all homes delivered under the fund are affordable.