Written questions by Foy.

Communities and Local Government, if he will review the enforcement powers available to local authorities in cases where a site owner refuses to formally (a) recognise and (b) consult with a Qualifying Residents’ Association.

Site owners’ obligations to park home residents are set out in the implied terms of a resident’s Mobile Homes Act 1983 written agreement. If a site owner breaches any of their obligations, including recognising or consulting with a Qualifying Residents’ Association, the association can seek a determination at the First Tier Tribunal.

Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Fit and Proper Person test in protecting park home residents from unsuitable landowners.

The fit and proper person test, which applies to a site owner or the person appointed to manage a site, is intended to ensure that those managing park home sites are competent to do so.Where properly applied by local planning authorities, the legislation has been shown to be effective.My Department will continue to monitor its operation and consider whether any changes are required.

Communities and Local Government, what guidance is provided to police forces on the enforcement of the Caravan Sites Act 1968 in relation to the harassment of elderly or vulnerable residents by park home site owners.

The police are the enforcing authorities against harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 and the Public Order Act 1986. Enforcement against harassment under the Caravan Sites Act 1968 is the responsibility of local authorities.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department includes local authority (a) owned and (b) managed Gypsy and Traveller sites within its definition of social housing under the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008.

All registered providers of social housing, including local authorities, are required to deliver the outcomes of the consumer standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing (‘the regulator’). The regulatory standards apply to social housing as defined by the Housing and Regeneration Act (2008). The Act defines low-cost rental accommodation as accommodation rented below market rate and made available to those whose needs may not be adequately served by the commercial market. Socially rented residential homes on local authority owned or managed Gypsy and Traveller sites will be subject to the regulator’s consumer standards if they meet the definition of social housing under the Act.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help tackle landbanking.

The consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system that began on Tuesday 30 July includes proposals designed to support increased build out rates and promote mixed-tenure schemes that meet the housing needs of local people. In conjunction with the start of that consultation, the housebuilding industry made a public commitment to increase the pace at which homes are delivered and to get on and build where sites are viable and have implementable consent. The Government has also taken swift action to unblock stalled sites through the creation of New Homes Accelerator Task Force.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending the Right to Buy for housing association tenants.

The Government is currently reviewing the increased Right to Buy discounts that were introduced in 2012, with a view to better protecting existing social housing stock. The Government will also review the Right to Buy more widely, including looking at eligibility criteria and protections for newly-built social housing and will launch a public consultation in the autumn. More information about the consultation and the position on extending the Right to Buy for housing association tenants will be made available in due course.