Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when she plans to next publish an updated version of the Crown Premises Fire Safety Inspectorate enforcement register, published on 26 April 2023.
Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Crown Premises’ Fire Safety Inspectorate’s enforcement register will be updated again by 31st May 2025
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 7 February 2025 to Question 27485 on Parking: Private Sector, if she will restrict access to DVLA records by private parking companies that consistently issue unfair parking notices.
Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The law permits the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to release the contact details of the registered keeper of a vehicle where the requester can demonstrate “reasonable cause” for requesting that information, and where a parking operator is a member of a trade association and adheres to sector’s code of practice.
The disclosure of keeper details to private parking companies is subject to a range of safeguards to ensure the information is requested and used appropriately. We are exploring ways to give motorists the best protection and support and continue to engage with both consumer groups, two parking trade associations and DVLA.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
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 establishing a regulatory and competition authority for private carpark operators.
Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Government is aware of the concerns about the poor practice and behaviour of some parking operators and is determined to drive up standards. We are exploring ways to give motorists the best protection and support and continue to engage with both consumer groups and the two parking trade associations.
MHCLG does not hold information on the ownership of private car parks, as this is private land not managed or overseen by Government.
We will announce our plans regarding the Government code in due course. In the meantime, however, I can confirm that we will consult and assess the impacts of any new measures before those are implemented.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 7 February to Question 27485, tabled on 29 January 2025 on Parking: Private Sector, if she will issue revised guidance on the operation and management of private parking facilities to private car park companies operating at (a) airports, (b) local authority car parks, (c) NHS sites, (d) supermarkets, (e) rail companies, (f) universities and (g) private residential areas.
Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Government is aware of the concerns about the poor practice and behaviour of some parking operators and is determined to drive up standards.
The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the Government to prepare a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities.
This Code will contain guidance for all off-street privately managed car parking facilities.
This government is determined to drive up standards in the private parking sector and will announce its plans for the new Code in due course.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing a Community Right to Buy scheme.
Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Government is committed to creating thriving high streets and community spaces. Through the English Devolution Bill, we will introduce a new Community Right to Buy to help local people to acquire valued community spaces if they come up for sale, keeping these assets in the hands of the community. These new powers will further empower communities to tackle the blight of high street vacancy, bringing more spaces back into use and rejuvenating local high streets across the country. We will provide more detail on the planned measures in due course.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to review legislation on Assets of Community Value.
Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Community spaces have a significant role to play in developing social networks, encouraging community participation, and promoting civic pride. The Assets of Community Value scheme in England provides communities with a route to protect cherished community assets, furthering social wellbeing and the interests of the community.
As part of the Government's commitment to introduce a new Community Right to Buy in the English Devolution Bill, we will consider what associated changes need to be made to the existing Assets of Community Value legislation.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
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 her Department’s open consultation entitled proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, published on 2 August 2024, what steps she plans to take to help local authorities promote healthy living.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
As part of the consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, we are seeking views on how national planning policy could better support local authorities in promoting healthy communities, and specifically, in tackling childhood obesity.
The Framework already expects policies at the local level to aim to achieve healthy places. We are considering how to ensure a more consistent approach is taken, for example, in relation to controlling hot food takeaways near schools.
The consultation is open until 24 September and we will use the responses we receive to inform future steps.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
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 her Department’s open consultation entitled proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, published on 2 August 2024, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending compulsory purchase compensation rules to allow local authorities to procure land for use as (a) parks and (b) playing fields.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Local authorities have powers under the Local Government Act 1972, Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and Education Act 1996 to compulsory purchase land for parks and playing fields providing there is a compelling case in the public interest. Compensation paid will reflect open market value. Under compensation rules, any increase or decrease in value caused by the compulsory purchase must be discounted from the open market value of the land taken.
Local authorities acquiring land under the Education Act 1996 can seek directions from the Secretary of State to remove ‘hope value’ from compensation where justified in the public interest. They can also seek directions to remove hope value when acquiring land under the Local Government Act 1972 or Town and Country Planning Act 1990 providing the use of the land will include provision of affordable housing. For example, a mixed-use scheme including mixed tenure housing, parks, open spaces.
Further reform of compulsory purchase compensation rules will be included in the forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill. Announcements on the timing of that Bill will be made in the normal way in due course.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
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 17 of the Kings Speech 2024 background briefing notes, published on 17 July 2024, what her planned timetable is for delivering proposed reforms to compulsory purchase compensation rules.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Announcements on the timing of the introduction of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will be made in the normal way in due course.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
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 facilitate greater involvement of architects in the development stage of new housing schemes.
Answered by Lee Rowley
National planning policy makes clear that local authorities should prepare their own local design codes in line with the principles set out in the National Design Guide and National Model Design Code, which can define what well-designed new development means in their local area.
The NPPF and supporting National Design Guide and National Model Design Code emphasise that effective engagement between local authorities, communities, applicants and other interests, such as architects, throughout the design process, including the preparation of design codes, is helpful to achieving well designed and sustainable new development.