Written questions by Bedford.

Communities and Local Government, how many civil servants in their Department were found to have broken the Civil Service Code in (a) 2024 and (b) 2025.

Civil Servants are appointed on merit on the basis of fair and open competition and are expected to carry out their role with dedication and a commitment to the Civil Service and its core values: integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.Allegations of misconduct can be multi-faceted and have complex circumstances. Whistleblowing procedures include allegations of public interest and record whether an issue is deemed to be a Civil Service Code breach. To protect the personal data of employees, we do not report on small numbers of cases. The Department does not record the number of cases specifically relating to the Civil Service Code breaches outside of Whistleblowing procedures, but any allegations of such breaches are dealt with seriously as part of internal procedures.

Communities and Local Government, how many departmental employees were on performance management plans in (a) 2023, (b) 2024 and (c) 2025.

MHCLG is committed to thorough performance management and has in place robust processes to ensure that those who fall below the expected standards are supported to improve in a timely manner. To this end, there have been:70 employees who have been placed on a Development Support Plan between 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024, 110 between 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025, and 61 between 1st April 2025- 31st March 2026.Those who cannot improve their performance, despite this additional support, may be dismissed.

Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility of public consultations for local government reorganisation for people without access to the internet.

The government is keen that all interested parties, including local residents, can have their say on the future of local government in their area. Members of the public who wish to engage can submit responses online or in writing by email or post, in line with the consultation arrangements. There are no plans to carry out a separate assessment of consultation accessibility.

Communities and Local Government, how many apprentices the department recruited in 2025, compared with the figures for i. 2022, ii. 2023 and iii. 2024.

There are two different ways of counting apprenticeship recruitment:Definition A: colleagues who joined on an apprenticeship contract.Definition B: colleagues who joined MHCLG via a role which was advertised as including an apprenticeship and subsequently began an apprenticeship after joining.Both definitions are included below. The source of this information is MHCLG recruitment data. The number of apprentices the MHCLG has recruited in the requested years are as follows: Definition ADefinition B202200202382120241317202500

Communities and Local Government, whether her department has had recent discussions with FirstPort property management on the adequacy of their service.

In response to widespread concerns raised in the debate on property service charges on 30 October, I met Martin King, Managing Director of FirstPort, on 17 November. In that meeting, I pressed Mr King and his associates on a wide range of issues stemming from reports of poor service, and I left him in no doubt that in the government’s view, FirstPort’s performance is not good enough. I have written to FirstPort to follow up on the issues raised and have deposited a copy of my letter in the House Library.

Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy to introduce local referenda as part of Government consultations on local government reorganisation in Leicestershire.

As stated in the previous answer to Question UIN 68332 on 22 July, we do not have any plans to require local referenda as part of the local government reorganisation process. Under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, Parliament set out the statutory process for establishing unitary councils in two-tier areas. As set out in the invitation letter, areas must demonstrate how the local community has been engaged in developing proposals. As stated in the previous answer to Question UIN 53424 on 28 May, feedback on interim plans has been provided to all councils in Leicester and Leicestershire to support them as they progress work on developing final proposals. Their final proposals are due by 28 November 2025. Once any final proposals are submitted it will be for the government to consult as required by statute before deciding which proposal, if any, to implement. An indicative timetable is available on gov.uk.

Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to extend the enforcement powers of local authorities in respect of (a) parking infringements and (b) obstructions to the public highway.

The Government recognises the importance of effective enforcement in maintaining safe and accessible public highways. Local authorities have a range of powers to enforce parking regulations and address obstructions on the highway under existing legislation, including the Traffic Management Act 2004 and the Highways Act 1980. We do not have plans to extend them.

Communities and Local Government, what his planned timetable is for the implementation of local government reorganisation in Leicestershire.

As stated in the previous answer to Question UIN 68332 on 22 July, we do not have any plans to require local referenda as part of the local government reorganisation process. Under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, Parliament set out the statutory process for establishing unitary councils in two-tier areas. As set out in the invitation letter, areas must demonstrate how the local community has been engaged in developing proposals. As stated in the previous answer to Question UIN 53424 on 28 May, feedback on interim plans has been provided to all councils in Leicester and Leicestershire to support them as they progress work on developing final proposals. Their final proposals are due by 28 November 2025. Once any final proposals are submitted it will be for the government to consult as required by statute before deciding which proposal, if any, to implement. An indicative timetable is available on gov.uk.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to require local referenda for local government reorganisation proposals in Leicestershire.

As I stated in my answer to Question UIN 38850 on 20 March 2025, we do not have any plans to require local referenda as part of the local government reorganisation process. Under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, Parliament set out the statutory process for establishing unitary councils in two-tier areas. As set out in the invitation letter, areas must demonstrate how the local community has been engaged in developing proposals.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has considered including child development in the planning process to encourage outdoor activities.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) recognises that access to a network of high-quality open spaces and opportunities for sport and physical activity is important for the health and well-being of communities, including children. The Framework is clear that local planning policies should be based on robust and up-to-date assessments of the need for open space, sport and recreation facilities, and opportunities for new provision, including places for children’s play. In the revised NPPF published on 12 December 2024 we strengthened the strong protections already in place by adding explicit reference to safeguarding “formal play spaces”. That means that facilities can be lost only where there is clear evidence they are no longer required, where equivalent or better provision is secured in a suitable location, or where development of the site is for alternative sports and recreational provision, the benefits of which clearly outweigh the loss of the current or former use.

Communities and Local Government, when she plans to publish the outcome of the consultation entitled Strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England, which closed on 26 February 2025.

The government response to the ‘Strengthening the Standards and Conduct Framework for Local Authorities in England’ consultation will be issued in due course. After its release, we will continue to work actively with local government on developing the detailed policies for implementation.

Communities and Local Government, if her Department will take steps with (a) academies and (b) schools to introduce impact statements for large housing developments within their catchment area.

The National Planning Policy Framework recognises the importance of ensuring a sufficient choice of early years, school and post-16 places are available to meet the needs of existing and new communities and outlines that local planning authorities should take a proactive, positive, and collaborative approach to meeting this requirement, and to development that will widen choice in education. The Framework further states that local planning authorities should give great weight to the need to create, expand or alter early years, schools, and post-16 facilities through the preparation of plans and decisions on applications, and work with early years, school and post-16 promoters, delivery partners and statutory bodies to identify and resolve key planning issues before applications are submitted. In view of these existing provisions, the government has no plans to introduce separate requirements for impact statements for large housing developments.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential financial impact of the creation of a single unitary authority in Leicestershire.

We have made no such assessment for Leicestershire, nor any other area undergoing reorganisation. Ultimately it is for councils to develop robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of their whole area. In our invitation we provided guidance on efficiencies and financial sustainability, as well as size, sensible geographies, public service delivery, community engagement and devolution. It will be for the new councils to achieve the efficiencies identified in reorganisation proposals and subsequent detailed implementation and transformation plans.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the cost pressures faced by local authorities in providing statutory services.

The government recognises the significant pressures that councils are facing. This Spending Review provides over £5 billion of new grant funding over the next three years for local services that communities rely on. This includes £3.4 billion of new grant funding to be delivered through the Local Government Finance Settlement within financial years 2026-27 to 2028-29. The £3.4 billion, when taken together with a 3% core council tax referendum principle and a 2% adult social care precept, results in an average overall real terms increase in local authority core spending power of 2.6% per year over the next multi-year settlement (2026-27 to 2028-29). The Department works closely with local government and other government departments to understand specific demand and cost pressures facing local government on an ongoing basis. This involves looking at a range of cost and demand data, alongside regular engagement with local authorities.

Communities and Local Government, how many permanent civil servants in her Department had their contract of employment terminated as a result of poor performance in the (a) 2022-23, (b) 2023-24 and (c) 2024-25 financial years.

The department has 5 or less performance-based dismissals or terminations for each financial year stated.

Communities and Local Government, when she plans to announce further proposals for local government reorganisation in Leicestershire.

On 5 February 2025, the government issued statutory invitations to two-tier authorities and small neighbouring unitary authorities to develop proposals for unitary local government. Accordingly, an invitation was sent to Blaby District Council, Charnwood Borough Council, Harborough District Council, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, Leicestershire County Council, Melton Borough Council, North West Leicestershire District Council, Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, Leicester City Council and Rutland County Council. The invitation also asked areas to submit interim plans by 21 March 2025. We received interim plan responses from all areas and committed to providing feedback. Feedback will soon be provided to those all councils listed above to support them as they progress work on developing final proposals. Their final proposals are due by 28 November 2025. Once any final proposals are submitted it will be for the government to consult as required by statute before deciding which proposal, if any, to implement.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of councils extending the right to be placed on the rent books of primary tenancies to adults with additional needs on (a) costs to and (b) the provision of social housing by local authorities.

The Department has not undertaken an assessment of potential impact of councils right to be placed on the rent books extension.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of Section 106 contributions paid to local authorities ahead of a development.

Local authorities are able to seek a section 106 planning obligation from a developer to mitigate the impact of a development in order to make it acceptable in planning terms. The obligation might, for example, specify the periods at which the required contributions must be provided by the developer. Local authorities have enforcement powers to ensure compliance with any such provisions.The government does not collect data on section 106 contributions paid to local authorities ahead of a development taking place. However, any local authority that has received section 106 contributions is required to publish an infrastructure funding statement at least annually. Guidance recommends that authorities report on the delivery and provision of infrastructure, as well as estimated future income from developer contributions, where they are able to do so.The government is committed to strengthening the existing system of developer contributions, including section 106 planning obligations, to ensure that new developments provide appropriate affordable homes and infrastructure. Further details will be set out in due course.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to review legislation on new home developers selling land in and around new housing estates to maintenance companies which then charge back to homeowners.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244).

Communities and Local Government, how many housing developments have been approved in Mid Leicestershire in the last ten years.

Numbers of major and minor residential applications granted permission each quarter for each local planning authority are available here. As more than one planning application is often associated with a single residential development, the published figures should not be regarded as numbers of residential developments granted permission.Figures are not collected at parliamentary constituency level.The Department does not collect or publish numbers of completed major housing developments.