Written questions by Hollinrake.

Whether she has had discussions with the London Fire Brigade on (a) the issuance of advice to Transport for London on flammable material in sub-surface stations and (b) book exchanges in London Underground Tube stations.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) places a range of legal duties on Responsible Persons (the person in control of a premises), chief among which is the need to undertake a fire risk assessment to identify any general fire safety precautions that need to be taken to ensure that the premises, and people within it, are safe from fire.In the vast majority of premises, the FSO is enforced by the local fire and rescue authority and within London that is through the London Fire Brigade. Enforcing authorities can provide advice on premises they audit, and they have complete operational independence from Government on these matters.The Fire Precautions (Sub-surface Railway Stations) (England) Regulations 2009, which were designed to update earlier regulations and ensure they align with the FSO state that all parts of station premises must be kept clear of any accumulation of combustible refuse or other combustible matter.The government published guidance explaining the Regulations for both enforcing authorities and those responsible for them in Guidance Note 3: Fire safety on sub-surface railway stations.

Communities and Local Government, whether measures included in Environmental Delivery Plans are funded through (a) her Department or (b) income from the Nature Restoration Fund.

The Nature Restoration Fund will operate on a full cost recovery basis. The government may in some instances provide upfront funding to Natural England to commence actions identified in Environmental Delivery Plans in advance of levy payments, with costs recovered over time as development comes forward.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2025 to Question 34282 on MHCLG: Cost Effectiveness, if she will itemise the individual efficiency savings made on communications in the 2024-25 financial year.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has made marketing efficiencies in 2024/25, which include media campaigns that were halted following the election.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 97 of the National Planning Policy Framework, last updated on 7 February 2025, whether her Department categorises (a) Greggs, (b) Pret a Manager and (c) Subway as a fast food outlet.

It is for local planning authorities, when receiving a planning application from any of the providers named in the question, to consider whether, given the type of food and service to be provided at the location proposed, they consider the outlet to be either a hot food takeaway or a fast food outlet.

Communities and Local Government, if she will hold discussions with (a) the Parliamentary Parties Panel, (b) usual channels and (c) Privy Council on political finance reform before publishing her proposals on that matter.

The Government will engage with all key stakeholders in due course as part of our work to deliver on our commitment to strengthen the rules on political donations.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to re-introduce the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill.

The government will not be reintroducing the Bill.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2025 to Question 34282 MHCLG: Cost Effectiveness, what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of her Department's use of consultants in the 2024-25 financial year.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Question UIN 22042 on 14 January 2025 and Question UIN 25703 on 14 February 2025.In line with the government’s overall ambition, we are targeting a 50% reduction in consulting spend by the end of financial year 2025-26, and expect to demonstrate material progress towards achieving this following financial year 2024-25. MHCLG publishes spend on consultancy as part of its annual report and accounts, and the figures for FY2024-25 included in the accounts will therefore be assembled immediately following the end of the financial year.

What statistics her Department holds on the (a) number of potholes repaired and (b) area of roads resurfaced each year.

The Department does not collect data on the number of potholes treated or miles of road resurfaced in each local authority area each year, but instead collects information from local highway authorities on the overall condition of their roads. This is published annually, together with other information such as local authority expenditure on highway maintenance, on gov.uk at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/road-condition-statistics-data-tables-rdc.

Whether repairing potholes is (a) revenue and (b) capital expenditure for local authorities.

The Department for Transport provides local highway authorities with capital funding for local highway maintenance. Local authorities receive revenue funding from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government through the Local Government Finance Settlement. Capital funded highway maintenance activities are typically structural in nature and may include planned reactive repairs, such as permanent small-scale repairs to roads and pavements. However, capital funding cannot be used to fund the operating costs of a service, or for recurring expenditure such as grass-cutting or other cyclical maintenance activities, or for temporary short-term patching of potholes.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to clause 45 of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, published on 11 March 2025, who will deliver planning training for councillors.

My Department has had a constructive engagement with the sector regarding our proposals for mandatory training for planning committee members and we will continue to engage with relevant stakeholders in respect of the details of the proposed training and how this will be delivered. We have not made an estimate of the number of planning applications decided by the casting vote of the chair if the size of planning committees is reduced. We will, however, consult on the right level to set the size of planning committees to reflect best practice.

Communities and Local Government, what access rights asylum seekers with refugee status have to social housing; and whether homeless asylum seekers with refugee status are entitled to emergency housing.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Question UIN 34617 on 10 March 2025 and Question UIN 11929 on 8 November 2024.

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of recent trends in levels of fixed penalty notices for Public Spaces Protection Orders that are issued by private enforcement companies outsourced from local government; and whether guidance has been provided on such contacts which (a) reward companies for increasing numbers of fines and (b) profit share revenue from fines.

The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides the police, local authorities and other local agencies with a range of tools and powers they can use to respond to anti-social behaviour (ASB), including the Public Spaces Protection Order.The powers in the 2014 Act are deliberately flexible in nature, and it is for local agencies to determine whether their use is appropriate in the specific circumstances of each individual case.Contracting enforcement to third parties is a common arrangement and it is for the local authority to ensure use of powers remains just and proportionate. Contractors are bound by the same legal obligations, and the same safeguards in legislation, as councils themselves. Local authorities are also obliged to follow the rules set out in the Public Contract Regulations 2015 in appointment of such companies.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment has been made of the indirect impact of local government restructuring on the appointment and boundaries of the High Sheriffs.

There is no intention that the priorities set out in the English Devolution White Paper will impact on the ceremonial counties or the important roles the High Sheriffs and Lord Lieutenants play as the Monarch’s representatives in those counties, and ceremonial counties will be retained. The Government recognises and values the work they do in relation to civic, business, social and community life in the ceremonial counties, and will ensure that the ceremonial rights and privileges of an area will be maintained after any reorganisation of local government.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to clause 45 of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, published on 11 March 2025, what training on planning matters councillors will receive.

My Department has had a constructive engagement with the sector regarding our proposals for mandatory training for planning committee members and we will continue to engage with relevant stakeholders in respect of the details of the proposed training and how this will be delivered. We have not made an estimate of the number of planning applications decided by the casting vote of the chair if the size of planning committees is reduced. We will, however, consult on the right level to set the size of planning committees to reflect best practice.

How much (a) Network North and (b) repurposed High Speed 2 funding was given to local highways authorities in 2024-25; and whether she plans to continue that funding in 2025-26.

In 2024/25 the previous Government allocated £150 million of additional highway maintenance funding to local highway authorities as part of its Network North plan, all of which was repurposed High Speed 2 funding. This Government has allocated £500 million of additional highway maintenance funding to local highway authorities for 2025/26. Funding beyond 2025/26 is a matter for the forthcoming Spending Review.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2025 to Question 33369 on Roads: Hampshire, whether the change to local highways allocations for 2025-26 (a) is in addition to or (b) replaces the funding for highways from (i) Network North and (ii) repurposed HS2 funding announced on 4 October 2023.

The highway maintenance funding uplift of £500 million for 2025/26, which was announced by the Chancellor in October 2024, comes on top of the increase of £150 million in 2024/25 that was announced by the previous Government as part of the Network North plan. The 2024 Budget document makes clear that the £150 million Network North funding increase has, in effect, become part of the highway maintenance funding baseline. The Government will say more on future years’ funding after the Spending Review.

Communities and Local Government, what will happen to adopted local plans within local authorities abolished in local government re-organisation.

The legal status of local development plans is not impacted by local government reorganisation. Where reorganisation occurs, new unitary authorities are expected to promptly prepare a local plan covering the whole of their area. Until that new plan is adopted, existing constituent local plans remain in force as part of the development plan for their area. New unitary authorities have the discretion to progress any emerging constituent local plans.

Communities and Local Government, with reference the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, published on 11 March 2025, whether she has made an estimate of the number of planning applications decided by the casting vote of the chair if the size of planning committees is reduced.

My Department has had a constructive engagement with the sector regarding our proposals for mandatory training for planning committee members and we will continue to engage with relevant stakeholders in respect of the details of the proposed training and how this will be delivered. We have not made an estimate of the number of planning applications decided by the casting vote of the chair if the size of planning committees is reduced. We will, however, consult on the right level to set the size of planning committees to reflect best practice.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2025 to Question 33046 on Prime Minister, how 10 Downing Street determines whether an organisation (a) should and (b) should not be engaged with.

Engagement with organisations is considered on a case-by-case basis.

Pursuant to the Answer of (a) 3 March 2025 to Question 33047 and (b) 23 January 2025 to Question 24244 on Government Departments: Sanitation, what the terms are of the policy review; and what plans he has for previously installed gender-neutral toilets.

I refer the hon. member to the answer given in response to PQ24244 on 23 January.