Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - North West Durham)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the budget was of the Pocket Parks scheme; and how much of that funding was allocated.
Answered by Luke Hall - Minister of State (Education)
In 2019-2020 a total of £1.35 million was made available for Pocket Parks, of which £1,343,653.33 was allocated.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - North West Durham)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans the Government has to re-open the Pocket Parks scheme to new applications.
Answered by Luke Hall - Minister of State (Education)
The Government recognises the value of parks and green spaces in providing vibrant and inclusive locations for communities to socialise, volunteer, work, and exercise. We have seen during the COVID-19 pandemic how important access to parks and green spaces are to local communities. We recognise that green spaces foster health, well-being, integration, and social engagement. There are no immediate plans to continue the Pocket Parks Scheme. However, as we move beyond the threat of COVID-19, we will explore how we can best support all urban parks and green spaces, taking into account the Government’s environmental, social, and health priorities.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - North West Durham)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many applications were (a) made and (b) successful to the Pocket Parks fund in (i) each local authority area and (ii) Parliamentary constituency.
Answered by Luke Hall - Minister of State (Education)
Details of Pocket Parks funding recipients can be found in the public domain at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/68-new-parks-to-inject-green-space-into-urban-areas.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - North West Durham)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when town, parish and other local authority bodies will receive reimbursement for their business rates as a result of the Public Lavatories (non-domestic ratings) Act 2021.
Answered by Luke Hall - Minister of State (Education)
The Non-Domestic Rating (Public Lavatories) Act 2021 received Royal Assent on 29 April. The Act provides a 100 per cent business rates relief for eligible separately-assessed public toilets in England. This relief applies retrospectively from 1 April 2020.
As with other business rates reliefs, local billing authorities are responsible for putting in place the arrangements to award this relief. Owners or operators of public toilets, including local authorities, that consider that they may be eligible for the relief should contact their billing authority about any refunds which may be due. The Government will compensate billing authorities for income lost as a result of awarding the relief.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - North West Durham)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, which towns in County Durham did Durham County Council submit bids for to the (a) High Streets Fund and (b) Towns Fund.
Answered by Eddie Hughes
Durham County Council submitted an Expression of Interest to the Future High Streets Fund for four towns in County Durham. These towns were Chester Le Street, Bishop Auckland, Seaham and Spennymoor. Bishop Auckland was successful at this stage, and on 26 December 2020 we announced it had successfully secured £19.8 million from the fund.
Bishop Auckland was also invited to submit proposals to secure a Town Deal as part of the £3.6 billion Towns Fund. Bishop Auckland submitted its Town Investment Plan in January 2021 and that plan is currently being assessed by officials.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - North West Durham)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the (a) start date and (b) expiry date is of PFI contract for each local authority.
Answered by Eddie Hughes
This data is published, and the most recent publication is available here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/private-finance-initiative-and-private-finance-2-projects-2018-summary-data.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - North West Durham)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when the selective licensing scheme was introduced; and under what legislation that scheme was introduced.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
Selective licensing was introduced under Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004 which came into force in 2006. Since 2015, new or renewed schemes which cover more than 20 per cent of a local authority’s private rented stock or geographical area require approval from the Secretary of State.
Eleven schemes in ten local authorities have been approved. These are:
Burnley,
Peterborough,
Hyndburn,
Newham,
Blackpool,
Brent,
Nottingham
Redbridge,
Waltham Forest,
Burnley, and
Barking and Dagenham.
The Independent Review of the Use and Effectiveness of Selective Licensing commissioned by the Department considered the effects of select licensing. The review is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/833217/Selective_Licensing_Review_2019.pdf
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - North West Durham)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many local authorities have selective licensing schemes covering more than 20 per cent of (a) their area or (b) the number of private rented homes in their area; which local authorities they are; and when those licences were granted.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
Selective licensing was introduced under Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004 which came into force in 2006. Since 2015, new or renewed schemes which cover more than 20 per cent of a local authority’s private rented stock or geographical area require approval from the Secretary of State.
Eleven schemes in ten local authorities have been approved. These are:
Burnley,
Peterborough,
Hyndburn,
Newham,
Blackpool,
Brent,
Nottingham
Redbridge,
Waltham Forest,
Burnley, and
Barking and Dagenham.
The Independent Review of the Use and Effectiveness of Selective Licensing commissioned by the Department considered the effects of select licensing. The review is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/833217/Selective_Licensing_Review_2019.pdf
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - North West Durham)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the economic effect of rents on tenants in private sector accommodation in a selective licensing scheme area.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
Selective licensing was introduced under Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004 which came into force in 2006. Since 2015, new or renewed schemes which cover more than 20 per cent of a local authority’s private rented stock or geographical area require approval from the Secretary of State.
Eleven schemes in ten local authorities have been approved. These are:
Burnley,
Peterborough,
Hyndburn,
Newham,
Blackpool,
Brent,
Nottingham
Redbridge,
Waltham Forest,
Burnley, and
Barking and Dagenham.
The Independent Review of the Use and Effectiveness of Selective Licensing commissioned by the Department considered the effects of select licensing. The review is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/833217/Selective_Licensing_Review_2019.pdf
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - North West Durham)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, which Department owns or is now responsible for the former Hassockfield Secure Training Centre in Medomsley, near Consett; and what plans that Department has for the redevelopment of that site.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
Homes England currently own the former Hassockfield Secure Training Centre in County Durham. The Government is considering options for future use of the site.