Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the duty to cooperate in the development of local plans.

Government is clear that local planning authorities must work together to plan for common strategic interests. However, we have heard concerns about the effectiveness of the duty to co-operate. The Local Plans Expert Group in particular raised the difficulties that some areas have in providing for the housing they need within their own boundaries. Through the Neighbourhood Planning Bill, we said that we want to see more collaboration by authorities to address issues that require solutions across geographical boundaries.

We continue to consider options to ensure authorities effectively collaborate on common strategic issues and will be publishing a Housing White Paper shortly.