Oral Answers to Questions Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate

Oral Answers to Questions

Nigel Adams Excerpts
Monday 25th November 2013

(10 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text
Brandon Lewis Portrait Brandon Lewis
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

When we do the finance settlement statement we have a consultation, but I am very happy to meet at a time that suits both the hon. Lady and the council to discuss the situation, and hopefully we can touch on why it is putting up council tax by 2% and punishing hard-working people by raising their cost of living. This Government have worked hard to freeze council tax and we are proud of doing so.

Nigel Adams Portrait Nigel Adams (Selby and Ainsty) (Con)
- Hansard - -

11. What recent guidance he has given to local authorities on tackling unauthorised development. [R]

Lord Pickles Portrait The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Mr Eric Pickles)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

Councils should take swift enforcement action to tackle unauthorised development. Previously, some councils have been unclear about the powers available to deal with this issue. In August, we sent all councils a guide on the full range of power available to tackle unauthorised occupation on private and public land.

Nigel Adams Portrait Nigel Adams
- Hansard - -

I am very grateful for that response. On the subject of authorised sites, local residents, including Travellers, in the village of Burn in Selby recently fought a successful campaign to prevent the expansion of an extremely large site in the village. Can the Secretary of State confirm that he would not recommend that any Traveller site should dominate in size any neighbouring community?

Lord Pickles Portrait Mr Pickles
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I am sure my hon. Friend will understand that I cannot comment on a particular site. However, it is immensely important to ensure that where a Traveller site is placed next to a village, the numbers there should not dominate the area. The coalition Government have made a number of changes to policies, and we may be bringing forward further policies to make it easier for local communities to be able to live side by side.