Asked by: Katie Lam (Conservative - Weald of Kent)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the publication entitled Planning powers for mayors in England, of 24 August 2026, para 17, whether there will be any public planning hearing before a mayor directs a local planning authority to refuse an application.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Under the statutory framework for mayoral planning powers, there is no requirement for a public planning hearing before a mayor can direct refusal of applications of potential strategic importance.
The power to direct refusal will be subject to statutory tests, and an applicant will be able to appeal this decision to the Secretary of State.
Asked by: Katie Lam (Conservative - Weald of Kent)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to page 50 of her Department's response to the proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system consultation, published in August 2026, what comparative assessment her Department has made of the cost of delivering social rent dwellings with other types of tenure; and if she will publish a list of the organisations that contributed to the consultation.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 60080 on 24 June 2025.
My Department does not routinely publish responses received to public consultations.
Asked by: Katie Lam (Conservative - Weald of Kent)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the consultation outcome, Modernising and improving the administration of council tax - government response, updated 15 April 2026, para 37, what the timetable is for the review into the changes into council tax disregards; and whether any reforms will be delivered before the Spending Review 2027 period.
Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The government will review the feasibility of changes to council tax disregards ahead of the next spending review.
As set out in the government’s response to the consultation, it aims to introduce changes to collection and enforcement of council tax from April 2027 and amend billing so that newly liable households are liable for 12-month billing by default from April 2027.