Asked by: Baroness Eaton (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what requests, if any, Homes England has made to (1) the National Housing Federation, and (2) registered providers of social housing, to reduce bids in the first three years following the implementation of the Social and Affordable Homes Programme.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
During the competitive assessment process for strategic partnerships under the Social and Affordable Homes Programme, Homes England asked bidders to consider how much of their grant funding would be drawn down each year. They were not asked to reduce the total grant they had bid for.
Asked by: Baroness Eaton (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of paragraph 5.9 of the Explanatory Memorandum to the Local Authorities (Changes to Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) Order 2026, whether they will publish the representations received from councils, elected representatives, and political groups.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The government has no plans to publish the representations received.
Asked by: Baroness Eaton (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has given advice or guidance on the planning and environmental constraints of developing sites close to foot and mouth carcass burial sites in flood risk areas.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer given to Question UIN HL7342 on 21 May 2025. Furthermore, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is clear that planning policies and decisions should prevent new and existing development from contributing to, being put at unacceptable risk from, or being adversely affected by unacceptable levels of water pollution or land instability.
Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on a new NPPF, including proposals in a new standalone chapter dedicated to managing flood risk and coastal change, as well as proposals relating to pollution. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.
Asked by: Baroness Eaton (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to support councils to improve planning enforcement against unauthorised traveller sites through the sub-division of land.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Local planning authorities have a wide range of planning enforcement powers, with strong penalties for non-compliance, available to them.
Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on a new National Planning Policy Framework. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals relating to strengthening the policy on intentional unauthorised development. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.
Asked by: Baroness Eaton (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have to update the guidance issued by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government on 12 September 2016 concerning submitting proposals under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007, in particular regarding the email address local authorities can use to submit proposals.
Answered by Lord Lemos - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
The Government has no plans to update the guidance issued on 12 September 2016 concerning the submission of proposals under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007. The email address has been updated.
Asked by: Baroness Eaton (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether it will be for new unitary authorities to decide whether to apply for the creation of a Foundation Strategic Authority.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Government has been clear that it wants to see devolution extended across the whole of England, with more areas benefiting from the powers and funding available to Strategic Authorities.
We have therefore written to leaders of councils in areas without devolution agreements, inviting them to work with neighbouring authorities to agree a suitable geography and submit proposals.
These proposals must meet the criteria set out in the English Devolution White Paper, in particular that they command the support of the proposed constituent councils and support effective delivery for communities. For areas undergoing local government reorganisation, we will continue to work closely with local partners, including any new unitary authorities, on potential future devolution arrangements.
Asked by: Baroness Eaton (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will legislate to amend section 245 of the Local Government Act 1972 to extend the right to petition for borough status to new unitary authorities.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Government has no current plans to amend section 245 of the Local Government Act 1972. Where local government reorganisation takes place, newly established unitary authorities will be district councils, who are already able to petition for borough status under the existing provisions of the Act, provided the statutory criteria are met, including a resolution passed by not less than two thirds of members at a meeting specifically convened for that purpose.
Asked by: Baroness Eaton (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance they have provided to existing principal local authorities and shadow unitary authorities about the distribution of assets.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
During the local government reorganisation process, councils are expected to continue to operate on a business-as-usual basis. Assets and liabilities remain locally managed by councils until reorganisation is complete. Decisions about the disposal or transfer of assets are matters for individual local authorities to determine.
The Government has issued explanatory guidance to councils undergoing local government reorganisation covering financial and asset‑related decision making. This makes clear that councils should take a responsible approach and avoid actions that could jeopardise the financial sustainability of successor authorities.
The Government plans to release further non-statutory guidance in the coming months, to assist councils undergoing reorganisation in determining a sustainable and equitable division of assets held by existing councils between new unitary authorities.
Asked by: Baroness Eaton (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many proposals they have received from local authorities under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 relating to the promotion of sustainability in local government since 2015.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
We have not identified any proposals received from local authorities under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 relating to the promotion of sustainability in local government since 2015.
Asked by: Baroness Eaton (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government, in regard to the High Value Council Tax Surcharge, whether the Treasury has discussed the wording required on council tax billing statements with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government; and what assessment they have made of whether amendments to the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992 will be necessary to enable billing of that surcharge.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The High Value Council Tax Surcharge (HVCTS) levies a new charge on owners of residential property in England worth £2 million or more, ensuring those with the most valuable properties pay their fair share. The Government has published a consultation on the detailed design of the HVCTS, including inviting views on the billing and administration process, to support local authorities in delivering the surcharge and to provide clarity to taxpayers.