Written questions by Hollinrake.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the press release entitled CCC advises 81% reduction in emissions by 2035, published by the Climate Change Committee on 26 October 2024 and the letter from the Committee of that date to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on the National Determined Contribution, what steps she is taking to remove planning barriers for (a) heat pumps and (b) electric vehicle chargers.

Nationally set permitted development rights enable the installation of air and ground source heat pumps and electric vehicle charge points without the need to submit a planning application. The rights are subject to certain conditions and limitations to protect local amenity.The previous government consulted on proposed changes to these rights, and on 21 November we announced our intention to amend the existing permitted development right for air source heat pumps to allow more flexibility in installation and size of heat pumps. Further information is available at: Warm Homes Plan and heat pumps – MHCLG in the Media.Further announcements on electric vehicle charge points will be made in due course.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to footnote 2 of her Department's Guidance on the implementation of the council tax premiums on long-term empty homes and second homes, published on 1 November 2024, what steps she plans to take to prevent local authorities from disregarding the requirement to advertise in at least one newspaper circulating in its area.

The government’s published guidance clearly set out the responsibilities of councils when making a determination to charge a council tax premium. The time limited exceptions to council tax premiums can be applied in succession where the dwelling is eligible.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her speech at the Local Government Association Conference of 24 October 2024, what deliverable plans councils will need to put in place.

Councils under statutory intervention are directed to develop and implement clear, deliverable plans for reform and recovery that address their specific governance and financial challenges and protect local taxpayers. The six councils under statutory intervention are supported in driving progress by Commissioners or Panels appointed by the Secretary of State, who provide written updates on the latest position of each council. I refer the Hon Member to Written Ministerial Statements made on 20 November 2024 (HCWS235) and 22 October 2024 (HCWS155). Through this approach, we are committed to resetting the relationship between local and regional government to establish partnerships built on mutual respect, genuine collaboration and meaningful engagement.

Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department issues to local authorities on whether councillors should declare ownership of property which is (a) rented out to their local authority at a commercial rate and (b) used by their local authority at a commercial rate via a third party.

Local authority members must register and disclose pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests with their authority.This includes contracts where a member is providing a service to their local authority, as well as any land interests they may have in the local authority area.The government guidance ‘Openness and transparency on personal interests: guidance for councillors’ provides practical information to councillors about how to be open and transparent about their personal interests.

Communities and Local Government, whether the new Property Portal requirements on the private rented sector will be in addition to selective licensing requirements, where such selective licensing requirement is in effect.

Local authorities set fees for their selective licensing schemes based on a number of factors including the set-up costs of the scheme, the cost of assessing applications and issuing licences, and the cost of inspecting properties where necessary.The government expects local authorities to make details of these fees, along with the rationale behind their determination to be transparent and readily accessible. Money raised through enforcement sanctions should be used to enforce high standards in private rented properties.Selective licensing and the Private Rented Sector Database have different purposes. The database is not designed to replace selective licensing. Selective licensing schemes aim to target specific local issues by enabling more intensive proactive enforcement strategies. Selective licensing is a valuable tool enabling local authorities to drive better outcomes for local residents, tenants, and responsible landlords. We will continue to review the use of selective licensing as we develop the Private Rented Sector Database and will look to refine the way the two systems work together including through sharing data.

Communities and Local Government, how many premises applied for a pavement licence under the Business and Planning Act 2020.

The department does not collect data on the number of pavement licences applied for. It is up to local authorities to determine pavement licencing applications.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 4 November 2024 to Question 11493 on Buildings and Housing: Solar Power, whether she is taking planning-related steps to facilitate the fitting of solar panels in conservation areas.

To facilitate the take up of renewable energy, nationally set permitted development rights enable the installation of solar equipment on or within the curtilage of buildings, including in conservation areas, without the need to submit a planning application. The rights are subject to certain conditions and limitations to protect local amenity. Proposals which go beyond what is allowed under the rights will require a planning application. Any such applications will be considered on their individual merits. We will continue to keep permitted development rights under review.

Communities and Local Government, what information her Department holds on the level of selective licensing fees charged by each local authority with such a scheme; and what the average fee is in England.

Local authorities set fees for their selective licensing schemes based on a number of factors including the set-up costs of the scheme, the cost of assessing applications and issuing licences, and the cost of inspecting properties where necessary.The government expects local authorities to make details of these fees, along with the rationale behind their determination to be transparent and readily accessible. Money raised through enforcement sanctions should be used to enforce high standards in private rented properties.Selective licensing and the Private Rented Sector Database have different purposes. The database is not designed to replace selective licensing. Selective licensing schemes aim to target specific local issues by enabling more intensive proactive enforcement strategies. Selective licensing is a valuable tool enabling local authorities to drive better outcomes for local residents, tenants, and responsible landlords. We will continue to review the use of selective licensing as we develop the Private Rented Sector Database and will look to refine the way the two systems work together including through sharing data.

Communities and Local Government, for what reason an impact assessment for the Renters’ Rights Bill was not published at (a) First Reading and (b) Second Reading; and if she will make it her policy to ensure impact assessments for all future Bills are published at First Reading.

The government published its Impact Assessment for the Renters’ Rights Bill on 22 November 2024, following scrutiny from the Regulatory Policy Committee. The Impact Assessment received a ‘green’ rating, indicating it is ‘fit for purpose’. The Impact Assessment can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her speech at the Local Government Association Conference of 24 October 2024, what the terms of reference of the Workforce Development Group are.

The Local Government Workforce Development Group will provide a central-local partnership on local government capacity and capability challenges. It will try to identify the priority cross-cutting issues impacting the local government workforce as a whole and seek creative solutions to address them.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's Guidance on the implementation of the council tax premiums on long-term empty homes and second homes, published on 1 November 2024, which of the exclusions across Classes F to M can be applied cumulatively to other exclusions at the end of initial exclusion.

The government’s published guidance clearly set out the responsibilities of councils when making a determination to charge a council tax premium. The time limited exceptions to council tax premiums can be applied in succession where the dwelling is eligible.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has received representations on the call for a boycott of Israel’s book industry and Israeli cultural institutions.

No records of such representations have been located.

Communities and Local Government, what plans she has to postpone local government elections due to be held in 2025.

We have no plans to postpone local government elections due to be held in 2025.

Communities and Local Government, in which local authority areas combined authority mayoral elections will take place in 2025.

There are two scheduled combined authority mayoral elections in 2025; the Mayor for West of England Combined Authority which includes the local authority areas of Bristol City, Bath and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire, and the Mayor for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority which includes the local authority area of Peterborough City Council and the local authorities in Cambridgeshire. Subject to parliamentary approval to the legislation establishing a new Mayoral Combined Authority for Hull and East Yorkshire, their first mayoral election will also take place in 2025 including the local authority areas of Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to reform the leasehold law on forfeiture.

Yes, the government is committed to removing the disproportionate and draconian threat of forfeiture as a means of ensuring compliance with a lease agreement.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the report entitled Summary of responses and government’s response to the consultation on proposals to exempt categories of dwellings from the council tax premiums in England, published on 11 March 2024, whether the exclusions for properties that are actively marketed for sale and let, apply for up to (a) 12 and (b) 24 months after the property first became unoccupied; and whether the sale and let exclusion can be applied and stack after the probate exemption expires if a home that has exited probate is then marketed for sale or rent.

This Government has published guidance for councils and taxpayers on the application of council tax premiums and exceptions. This guidance is available here. The exception for properties actively marketed for sale or let will apply for up to 12 months from which the dwelling has first been marketed for sale or let. Exceptions can be applied in succession.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to create an elected mayor in Cheshire.

The Minister for Local Government and English Devolution met with Leaders from Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, and Warrington Councils on 3 September to discuss next steps for devolution in the area.The government will continue to work closely with the area to agree a way forward to deliver an ambitious devolution agreement for Cheshire and Warrington.This government believes that the benefits of devolution are best achieved through the establishment of combined authorities supported by a mayor with a strategic role across a wider geography, working closely with council leaders.The English Devolution White Paper will set an ambitious new framework for English devolution, moving power out of Westminster and back to those who know their areas best.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to allow local authorities to impose local taxes on (a) hotel and (b) short-term let stays.

For the purposes of local taxation, all property is either domestic or non-domestic and is generally subject to either council tax or business rates. Whether any discounts or exemptions may apply will depend on the specific circumstances of each property.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to allow for an above-inflation rise in the council tax referendum threshold for 2025-26 for the Greater London Authority to increase revenue for Transport for London.

Details of the proposed council tax referendum principles for 2025-26 will be set out in the local government finance policy statement in late November.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2024 to Question 11179 on Local Government: Equality, whether her Department holds copies of the Local Government Association’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion learning resources and tools.

The Local Government Association’s (LGAs) Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion learning resources and tools are available on the LGA website: https://www.local.gov.uk/our-support/equalities-hub, which could have been easily found online without the need for a parliamentary question.