Every parliamentary written question tabled by Kevin Hollinrake this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1,181–1,200 of 1,583 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Communities and Local Government, which provisions of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 have not been implemented.
The government continues to review its policy inheritance from the last government, including in relation to specific provisions of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act that have not been brought into force.
Communities and Local Government, what representations she has received from the National Association of Local Councils on the potential effect of higher National Insurance contributions on (a) town and (b) parish councils.
Ministers and officials regularly meet with a wide range of stakeholders from the local government sector. Baroness Taylor, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State met with the National Association of Local Councils on Tuesday 28 February.The government recognises the important role town and parish councils have in improving the quality of life and wellbeing of their communities but has no direct role in funding parish and town councils, and therefore has not provided compensation, consistent with the approach taken by the previous government.We recognise that the increase in the rate of employers’ National Insurance Contributions (NICs) will lead to increased costs for some parish councils, which will require them to increase their precept. We recognise that decisions to increase precepts are not taken lightly by parish councils.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 12 December 2024 to Question 17827 on Private Education: Business Rates, whether the draft Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025-26 incorporates the expected funding from business rates on independent schools.
Business rates retention means that local authorities retain a proportion of all business rates revenue.As in previous years, the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement reflects local authority baseline funding levels. These are a core part of the business rates retention system which represent a measure of an authority’s need that is funded via business rates. This measurement does reflect not the totality of business rates or annual changes in business rate income from year to year.The increase in rates receipts due to the reduction in charitable rate relief for private schools will be shared between central and local government. The proportion of business rates that are retained locally and the proportion paid to central government are determined via business rates retention shares known as the local and central share.
Communities and Local Government, when she plans to bring forward legislative proposals on nutrient neutrality reform.
As set out in my answer to Question UIN 26836 on 5 February 2025, proposals for a Nature Restoration Fund are under development for inclusion in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. Further information will be set out when the Bill is introduced.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 12 December 2024 to Question 17554 on Local Government: Working Hours, for what reason her Department did not reissue the Best Value Notice previously reissued to South Cambridgeshire District Council on 8 May 2024.
The department published a letter outlining the decision not to reissue a Best Value Notice to South Cambridgeshire District Council on 8 November 2024.Decisions relating to a local authority’s Best Value Duty are made based on the circumstances of each case and consideration of the Best Value themes set out in the statutory guidance for Best Value standards and intervention: continuous improvement, leadership, governance, culture, service delivery, partnerships and community engagement, and use of resources.
Communities and Local Government, what her planned timetable is for the commencement of the Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019.
The government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is committed to preparing a code of practice in accordance with The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019.We are currently reviewing all options regarding the code and will announce our plans in due course.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 16546 on Housing: Construction, what assessment she has made of the potential effect on affordable housing provision of reduced demand for registered providers in acquiring homes built by private sector developers as a Section 106 requirement; and what assessment she has made of the potential merits of greater flexibility on affordable tenure types to help increase take-up.
The government recognises the ongoing challenge posed by the reduced appetite of Registered Providers of social housing to buy affordable homes delivered under Section 106 agreements.Homes England's Section 106 Affordable Housing Clearing Service was launched in December with the aim of supporting buyers and sellers of Section 106 homes to find each other more effectively.We are calling on all developers with uncontracted Section 106 affordable homes, as well as registered providers and local planning authorities, to engage proactively with this new service.We will consider what further measures may be necessary to address this problem, informed by data from the new clearing service.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement of 16 December 2024, HCWS317, on Development and the environment, what assessment she has been of the potential impact of nutrient mitigation funding requirements on (a) Community Infrastructure Levy and (b) Section 106 affordable housing payments; and whether nutrient mitigation funding will be subject to an economic viability test.
I refer the hon. Member to my answer to Question UIN 22914 on 29 January 2025
Communities and Local Government, whether secondary legislation to implement the provisions on local referendums in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 has been drafted.
The government is still reviewing its policy inheritance from the last government, including in relation to street votes. We have already taken significant steps to fix the planning system and unlock new housing and we will set out our plans for further planning reform in due course.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 16 December 2024 to Question 18374 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Staff, how many and what proportion of staff attended each regional office for each week of November 2024.
Number and proportion of staff contractually assigned to each office with at least one office visit during the reference periodWC 4th NovemberWC 11th NovemberWC 18th NovemberWC 24th NovemberEast of England68 (56%)76 (62%)73 (60%)77 (63%)London1550 (70%)1578 (71%)1578 (71%)1534 (69%)Midlands290 (58%)306 (61%)259 (51%)290 (58%)Northern Ireland13 (62%)14 (67%)14 (67%)12 (57%)North East137 (71%)125 (64%)127 (65%)127 (65%)North West206 (60%)219 (63%)188 (54%)211 (61%)Scotland38 (73%)35 (67%)36 (69%)38 (73%)South East22 (81%)20 (74%)19 (70%)19 (70%)South West131 (56%)133 (57%)134 (58%)122 (52%)Wales33 (73%)30 (67%)26 (58%)25 (56%)Yorkshire and Humber145 (66%)133 (61%)137 (63%)130 (59%)Grand Total2633 (66%)2669 (67%)2591 (65%)2585 (65%)
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 25 November 2024 to Question 15985 on Planning Permission: Publicity, if she will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of the income generated by publishing statutory notices on the financial viability of independent local newspapers.
The government has no plans to assess the impact of income generated from statutory notices on the viability of local newspapers.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 18 December 2024 to Question 17563 on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, what guidance her Department has issued to planning decision-makers on how planning applications which have (a) previously been refused and (b) been resubmitted without any substantive changes should be considered.
The relevant Planning Practice Guidance can be found on gov.uk here.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 19 November 2024 to Question 13624 on Road Signs and Markings and with reference to Section 81 of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, what plans she has to bring forward secondary legislation to enable local referendums on changes to street names.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 13624 on 19 November 2024.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement of 17 December 2024 on Development and the environment, HCWS317, how the new Environmental Outcome Reporting regime will differ from the EU legacy (a) Environment Impact Assessment and (b) Strategic Environmental Assessment regimes; and whether the Environmental Outcome Reporting regime will include carbon reporting.
As set out in my answer to Question UIN 26559 on 6 February 2025, the detail of the new system will be set out in secondary legislation through regulations as well as in guidance.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 16948 on Planning Permission, what guidance the National Planning Casework Unit provided on the processes and administrative arrangements for the decision on whether to call-in the Chinese Embassy planning application in London.
The decision to call in these applications was made on the basis of the policy set out in the Written Ministerial Statement of 26 October 2012 (Official Report, Colum 72WS).In dealing with any application, Ministers and officials will act in accordance with published propriety guidance on planning casework decisions. More information can be found on gov.uk here.
Communities and Local Government, if she will publish all correspondence, including electronic communications, between 10 Downing Street and her Department on the planning application for the proposed Chinese Embassy.
As is longstanding practice, we do not normally disclose internal communications.
Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure compliance with propriety guidance for the call-in of the proposed new Chinese Embassy.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer to UIN 22643 on 27 January 2025.
Communities and Local Government, if she will commence the street votes programme through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023.
The government continues to review its policy inheritance from the last government, including in relation to specific provisions of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act that have not been brought into force.
Communities and Local Government, whether the establishment of a Mayoral Development Corporation requires her consent.
The Localism Act 2011 first introduced provisions permitting the Mayor of London to designate Mayoral Development Areas (MDAs) and Mayoral Development Corporations (MDCs). These powers can now be conferred on elected mayors of Combined Authorities and Combined County Authorities.Mayors can designate MDAs, subject to the provisions in section 197 of the Localism Act 2011. If the Secretary of State receives a notification per section 197(6) of the 2011 Act, in accordance with section 198(2), she must by order establish an MDC for the area designated by the Mayor. In such cases, the Secretary of State has no discretion as to the establishment of the MDC and therefore her consent is not required.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 18 December 2024 to Question 18957 on Devolution: East of England, for what reason planning powers are being transferred to a regional level.
The government does not intend to transfer planning powers to a regional level. The English Devolution White Paper, Power and Partnership: Foundations for Growth, published in December 2024, confirmed our commitment to implement strategic planning at a sub-regional level through the production of Spatial Development Strategies (SDSs).