Plan for Neighbourhoods
Debate between Alex Norris and Sarah Dyke(1 week, 2 days ago)
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Alex Norris
I am very sad to hear about the fire, and I will of course be happy to have that meeting.
Sarah Dyke (Glastonbury and Somerton) (LD)
The Liberal Democrats welcome the plan’s commitment to social housing and to ensuring that development is community-led. However, it is disappointing that Somerset will not feel the benefit, given that demand for social housing in Glastonbury and Somerton, and across the county, vastly outweighs supply. Can the Minister confirm whether there are plans to extend the plan to allocate further funding, in addition to the 75 local authorities confirmed today?
Alex Norris
The hon. Lady knows that I cannot run ahead of the spending review. Other funds are available, including through the enhanced local government settlement and the shared prosperity fund, but if we can prove that this is an effective model, there may be scope in the future to extend it.
Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Alex Norris and Sarah Dyke(6 months, 1 week ago)
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Alex Norris
The hon. Gentleman knows whereof he speaks. This is another question that we are addressing up and down the country. We know that banking facilities bring people into towns and villages, and give rise to a virtuous circle. We have committed ourselves to providing 350 new banking hubs and, as the hon. Gentleman suggested, we are working with Treasury colleagues on their delivery.
Sarah Dyke (Glastonbury and Somerton) (LD)
The outdated business rates system has left some market towns, such as Wincanton in my constituency, with empty premises on the high streets, damaging communities’ sense of pride and preventing councils from benefiting on the back of flourishing town centres. Will the Minister work with his Treasury colleagues to boost small businesses and regenerate high streets by reforming damaging business rates?
Alex Norris
That is a commitment that we made at the previous election, and we intend to deliver on it.