Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - North Cotswolds)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has issued guidance to Lead Local Flood Authorities on the application of Section 245 of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 when assessing Flood Risk Assessments accompanying planning applications.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act (LURA) 2023 amended Section 85 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act to create a new duty for relevant authorities to ‘seek to further’ the statutory purposes of Protected Landscapes.
In December 2024, the government published guidance setting out broad principles to support relevant authorities in complying with this duty. This can be found on gov.uk here.
My Department has not issued guidance specifically for Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) on applying LURA Section 245 when evaluating Flood Risk Assessments (FRAs) in planning applications.
However, LLFAs can make use of other guidance, including planning practice guidance on flood risk and coastal change which can be found on gov.uk here and national flood risk standing advice for local planning authorities which can be found on gov.uk here. They can also utilise the FRA template on the Planning Portal here.
A particular focus of the guidance in question is supporting LLFAs with advice on sustainable drainage provision within major development proposals given that this can be an essential means of achieving the requirements of LURA Section 245, for example, through green and blue space provision or nature-based features that benefit the water quality of rivers and streams.
Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - North Cotswolds)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will make it his policy to launch a publicity campaign on the introduction of new requirements for Voter ID for (a) local and (b) Parliamentary elections.
Answered by Lee Rowley
Yes. The national communications campaign for voter identification is the responsibility of the Electoral Commission, including coordination of campaigns and supporting outreach and roll-out via partners. The Commission and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will work to ensure plans and timelines for communications and guidance can be aligned. The Government will continue working constructively with charities and civil society organisations to help people understand these changes and make sure that voter identification works for everyone.
Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - North Cotswolds)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, when his Department plans to publish its response to the Planning for the Future consultation.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
We will bring forward a response shortly.
Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - North Cotswolds)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will allow local authorities adequate time to plan their bids for the Levelling Up Fund round two; and whether the criteria for that round will be the same as for round one.
Answered by Neil O'Brien - Shadow Minister (Policy Renewal and Development)
The £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund will invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK, including regenerating town centres and high streets, upgrading local transport and investing in cultural and heritage assets. We will open round 2 in Spring 2022 and will share further details in due course.
Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - North Cotswolds)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, when the criteria for the second round of the Levelling Up Fund will be published.
Answered by Neil O'Brien - Shadow Minister (Policy Renewal and Development)
The £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund will invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK, including regenerating town centres and high streets, upgrading local transport and investing in cultural and heritage assets. We will open round 2 in Spring 2022 and will share further details in due course.
Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - North Cotswolds)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the overall percentage of business rate retention is and whether local authorities will be able to retain all of the new growth element announced in Autumn budget 2017.
Answered by Marcus Jones
All authorities in England retain at least 50 per cent of their business rates income.
The Government remains committed to further business rates retention and is working collaboratively with the local government sector to deliver further retention and reform the system.
In the Autumn Budget 2017 a London pilot 100 per cent Business Rate Retention Scheme was announced and will commence in April 2018, as well as a continuation in the 2018/19 cycle for the five current 100 per cent business rates pilots.
Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - North Cotswolds)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether there will be a central formula to assist London boroughs in deciding where to invest the revenue growth from the 100 per cent business retention pilot.
Answered by Marcus Jones
The 100 per cent business rates pilot in London will test how London boroughs are managing their business rates income under pooled arrangements. London boroughs will have the freedom to decide where to invest the potential revenue growth arising from the pilot, therefore allowing the boroughs more control over the money they raise locally in accordance with our manifesto commitment.
Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - North Cotswolds)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will issue planning guidance to ensure that all new developments of 300 homes or larger must be provided with a broadband connection by the developer.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
The National Planning Framework Policy states that in preparing local plans local authorities should support the expansion of high-speed broadband and engage with developers and providers. In December 2014 we published “Better Connected”, a guide agreed between housing developers and utility companies which includes voluntary performance standards for the connection of broadband. Separately Government is also considering whether new buildings should be required to provide certain technology to ensure connections to broadband infrastructure.
Asked by: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - North Cotswolds)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what his policy is on planning appeal costs being awarded against a district council when that appeal has been dismissed.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
All parties in planning appeals normally meet their own expenses. They are expected to behave reasonably to support an efficient and timely process, for example in providing all the required evidence and ensuring that timetables are met. Where a party has behaved unreasonably, and this has directly caused another party to incur unnecessary or wasted expense in the appeal process, they may be subject to an award of costs. A party applying for costs may have costs awarded against them, if they themselves have behaved unreasonably. It is a matter for the Planning Inspector, or the Secretary of State if a recovered decision, to determine applications for costs on a case-by-case basis.