Asked by: Alison Bennett (Liberal Democrat - Mid Sussex)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of a time limit for claiming Council Tax exemption under Class F.
Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
This exemption will apply until probate is granted (or letters of administration are signed) and while the dwelling remains unoccupied. A further 6-month exemption may apply following probate, so long as the dwelling remains unoccupied and has not been sold or transferred. The government does not have any plans to change this exemption.
Asked by: Alison Bennett (Liberal Democrat - Mid Sussex)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to make (a) the Environment Agency, (b) the Health and Safety Executive and (c) local fire and rescue services statutory consultees on applications for battery energy storage systems.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Government has no plans to make these bodies statutory consultees on applications for battery energy storage systems. I would encourage applicants to refer to the relevant Planning Practice Guidance, which details what applicants seeking planning permission for battery energy storage systems can do to ensure they consider any potential risks.