Every parliamentary written question tabled by Polly Billington this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–7 of 7 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Communities and Local Government, when her Department plans to lay statutory instrument to remove the one-metre rule requiring planning permission to install heat pumps in England.
Further announcements on permitted development rights for domestic air source heat pumps will be made in due course.
Communities and Local Government, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on the potential implications of the development of the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan for the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
Ministers in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) regularly engage with each other to deliver the government’s priorities. Our departments will continue to work together to consider the interactions between the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan.
Communities and Local Government, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the potential implications of the development of the Land Use Framework for the National Planning Policy Framework.
The Secretary of State has regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on a range of issues. Ministers in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will continue to work together to consider the interactions between the forthcoming Land Use Framework and the National Planning Policy Framework.
Communities and Local Government, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the potential implications of the development of the Land Use Framework for the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
The Secretary of State has regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on a range of issues. Ministers in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will continue to work together to consider the interactions between the forthcoming Land Use Framework and the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to announce a successor body to the High Streets Task Force.
This Government is fully committed to rejuvenating our high streets and supporting the businesses and communities that make our town centres successful. The Chancellor confirmed at Autumn Budget 2024 that the Long-Term Plan for Towns will be retained and reformed as part of a new regeneration programme. This will include specialised support to communities during the delivery phase of the programme, learning from the support offered through the High Streets Task Force. Further information on the Long-Term Plan for Towns programme will be provided in due course.
Communities and Local Government, if her Department will make an estimate of the (a) change in funding to Kent County Council (i) in real terms and (ii) as a percentage since 2010 and (b) forecast funding level for 2024 in the event that 2010 funding levels had been maintained in real terms.
This Government recognises that council funding has been under pressure since 2010.The Local Government Finance Settlement for 2024-25 was worth up to £64.7 billion for local authorities in England. For Kent County Council, the 2024-25 Local Government Finance Settlement made available up to £1.4 billion.Future local authority funding decisions will be a matter for the next Spending Review and Local Government Finance Settlement in which we are engaged. The department will work with local government leaders to ensure they are better able to fulfil their statutory duties.
Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an estimate of how much funding to Thanet District Council has been cut since 2010 in (a) real terms and (b) as a percentage; and whether she has made an estimate of the potential current level of funding without the cuts.
We understand that improving how local government is funded is crucial to enabling councils to deliver for local residents and ensuring we can deliver our missions, and we acknowledge the real pressures faced by councils in dealing with demand for vital services. We will provide councils with more stability and certainty through moving towards multi-year funding settlements and by ending wasteful competitive bidding. This will ensure councils can plan their finances for the future properly, delivering better value for money for taxpayers.For 2024/25, the Local Government Finance Settlement was £64.7 billion. For Thanet Council, this made available up to £20.3 million, an increase of £1.1 million, or 5.9% on 2023-24.Future local authority funding decisions will be a matter for the next Spending Review and Local Government Finance Settlement. We want to hear from councils about the financial challenges they are facing and we are committed to improving the local government finance landscape in this Parliament.