Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what oversight his Department will provide to ensure that (a) borough and (b) district councils do not take on significant costs during local government reorganisation in Surrey.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 99016 on 19 December 2025.
Asked by: Priti Patel (Conservative - Witham)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an estimate of the total estimated yield in non-national domestic rates from commercial properties in each district in Essex in 2025-26 and 2026-27, broken down by local authority area.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
We do not collect data on national non-domestic rates by specific types of property.
However, we do collect data on net rates payable by local authorities in England. Forecast data for 2025-26 can be found here National non-domestic rates collected by councils - GOV.UK.
Data relating to 2026-27 will be published in February 2026.
Asked by: Rebecca Smith (Conservative - South West Devon)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what his policy is on the treatment of surplus funds held by district councils, including West Devon Borough Council and South Hams District Council, in the event that those authorities are incorporated into a new unitary authority; and whether such surpluses will be used to offset the existing debts of other authorities within the proposed unitary structure.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
It is expected that assets and liabilities remain locally managed by councils. It is essential that councils continue to deliver their business-as-usual services and duties during and after local government reorganisation.
The Department will continue to operate its stewardship function to ensure councils are meeting their Best Value duty. The 2024 Guidance on Best Value Standards and Intervention describes the characteristics of a well-functioning authority, and in relation to handling assets the sections on governance, use of resources, service delivery and partnerships and community engagement are particularly relevant.
Asked by: John Grady (Labour - Glasgow East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the DVLA is taking with local councils and police to remove abandoned vehicles (a) without road tax and (b) that are SORN registered from public roads.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) operates a comprehensive package of measures to tackle unlicensed vehicles. These range from automatic number plate recognition cameras, wheelclamping and the removal and impounding of unlicensed vehicles.
The DVLA works closely with the police and local authorities to address such vehicles at local levels and to share intelligence. As well as any enforcement action that may be taken by the DVLA, the law also allows local authorities and police forces to work in partnership with the DVLA to tackle unlicensed vehicles by giving them the power to immobilise or impound unlicensed vehicles identified in their areas. These are known as devolved power partners.
The DVLA’s database highlights every unlicensed vehicle that is not subject to a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN) and automatically recognises when a keeper becomes non-compliant so that enforcement action can take place.
The DVLA’s wheelclamping contractor also provides ANPR services that provide enforcement coverage across every district in the UK. The DVLA also uses its own fleet to locate unlicensed vehicles and take direct action where appropriate. Members of the public can report unlicensed vehicles to the DVLA online at https://www.gov.uk/report-untaxed-vehicle .
The removal of abandoned vehicles is the responsibility of the relevant local authority. The police also have the powers to remove immediately any vehicle that is causing an obstruction, is likely to cause danger or is broken down or abandoned without lawful authority.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
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 1 December 2025 to Question 94117 on Local Government: Essex, what his planned timetable was for announcing the cancellation of the mayoral elections in 2026.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Following Ministerial and official consideration, we are minded to hold inaugural mayoral elections for the four Devolution Priority Programme places that are also undertaking local government reorganisation – including Greater Essex – in May 2028 rather than May 2026, so that areas can complete the reorganisation process before Mayors take office.
Subject to constituent authorities’ consent, we will establish the Mayoral Strategic Authorities in all areas as soon as possible, to ensure sufficient time for preparatory work ahead of the Mayor taking office and allowing areas to build local collaboration. This was announced to the House on 4 December and communicated to the constituent councils on 3 December.
We remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas announced on 4 December. We will provide £1 million Mayoral Capacity Funding for all areas following the laying of the secondary legislation, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years. Greater Essex will receive a third of their annual investment fund in both 2026 and 2027, and receive their full annual allocations thereafter.
We will establish Mayoral Strategic Authorities as we have proposed. The Greater Essex Combined County Authority’s constituent councils will remain Essex County, Thurrock and Southend on Sea councils. We will continue to encourage constituent councils to work with district councils including Basildon, as well as close collaboration between the new Mayoral Strategic Authorities on the DPP, including ahead of the inaugural mayoral election. We are working with relevant Government Departments to ensure an effective transfer of police and fire function.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of cancelling 2026 mayoral elections on strategic cooperation between Greater Essex and Norfolk and Suffolk.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Following Ministerial and official consideration, we are minded to hold inaugural mayoral elections for the four Devolution Priority Programme places that are also undertaking local government reorganisation – including Greater Essex – in May 2028 rather than May 2026, so that areas can complete the reorganisation process before Mayors take office.
Subject to constituent authorities’ consent, we will establish the Mayoral Strategic Authorities in all areas as soon as possible, to ensure sufficient time for preparatory work ahead of the Mayor taking office and allowing areas to build local collaboration. This was announced to the House on 4 December and communicated to the constituent councils on 3 December.
We remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas announced on 4 December. We will provide £1 million Mayoral Capacity Funding for all areas following the laying of the secondary legislation, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years. Greater Essex will receive a third of their annual investment fund in both 2026 and 2027, and receive their full annual allocations thereafter.
We will establish Mayoral Strategic Authorities as we have proposed. The Greater Essex Combined County Authority’s constituent councils will remain Essex County, Thurrock and Southend on Sea councils. We will continue to encourage constituent councils to work with district councils including Basildon, as well as close collaboration between the new Mayoral Strategic Authorities on the DPP, including ahead of the inaugural mayoral election. We are working with relevant Government Departments to ensure an effective transfer of police and fire function.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse in (a) Essex, (b) Thurrock and (c) Southend of preparations for mayoral elections in 2026.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Following Ministerial and official consideration, we are minded to hold inaugural mayoral elections for the four Devolution Priority Programme places that are also undertaking local government reorganisation – including Greater Essex – in May 2028 rather than May 2026, so that areas can complete the reorganisation process before Mayors take office.
Subject to constituent authorities’ consent, we will establish the Mayoral Strategic Authorities in all areas as soon as possible, to ensure sufficient time for preparatory work ahead of the Mayor taking office and allowing areas to build local collaboration. This was announced to the House on 4 December and communicated to the constituent councils on 3 December.
We remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas announced on 4 December. We will provide £1 million Mayoral Capacity Funding for all areas following the laying of the secondary legislation, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years. Greater Essex will receive a third of their annual investment fund in both 2026 and 2027, and receive their full annual allocations thereafter.
We will establish Mayoral Strategic Authorities as we have proposed. The Greater Essex Combined County Authority’s constituent councils will remain Essex County, Thurrock and Southend on Sea councils. We will continue to encourage constituent councils to work with district councils including Basildon, as well as close collaboration between the new Mayoral Strategic Authorities on the DPP, including ahead of the inaugural mayoral election. We are working with relevant Government Departments to ensure an effective transfer of police and fire function.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether funding for Greater Essex will be delayed as a result of the cancellation of the mayoral election.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Following Ministerial and official consideration, we are minded to hold inaugural mayoral elections for the four Devolution Priority Programme places that are also undertaking local government reorganisation – including Greater Essex – in May 2028 rather than May 2026, so that areas can complete the reorganisation process before Mayors take office.
Subject to constituent authorities’ consent, we will establish the Mayoral Strategic Authorities in all areas as soon as possible, to ensure sufficient time for preparatory work ahead of the Mayor taking office and allowing areas to build local collaboration. This was announced to the House on 4 December and communicated to the constituent councils on 3 December.
We remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas announced on 4 December. We will provide £1 million Mayoral Capacity Funding for all areas following the laying of the secondary legislation, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years. Greater Essex will receive a third of their annual investment fund in both 2026 and 2027, and receive their full annual allocations thereafter.
We will establish Mayoral Strategic Authorities as we have proposed. The Greater Essex Combined County Authority’s constituent councils will remain Essex County, Thurrock and Southend on Sea councils. We will continue to encourage constituent councils to work with district councils including Basildon, as well as close collaboration between the new Mayoral Strategic Authorities on the DPP, including ahead of the inaugural mayoral election. We are working with relevant Government Departments to ensure an effective transfer of police and fire function.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the cancellation of the 2026 Greater Essex mayoral election on the interim voting arrangements for the combined county authority.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Following Ministerial and official consideration, we are minded to hold inaugural mayoral elections for the four Devolution Priority Programme places that are also undertaking local government reorganisation – including Greater Essex – in May 2028 rather than May 2026, so that areas can complete the reorganisation process before Mayors take office.
Subject to constituent authorities’ consent, we will establish the Mayoral Strategic Authorities in all areas as soon as possible, to ensure sufficient time for preparatory work ahead of the Mayor taking office and allowing areas to build local collaboration. This was announced to the House on 4 December and communicated to the constituent councils on 3 December.
We remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas announced on 4 December. We will provide £1 million Mayoral Capacity Funding for all areas following the laying of the secondary legislation, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years. Greater Essex will receive a third of their annual investment fund in both 2026 and 2027, and receive their full annual allocations thereafter.
We will establish Mayoral Strategic Authorities as we have proposed. The Greater Essex Combined County Authority’s constituent councils will remain Essex County, Thurrock and Southend on Sea councils. We will continue to encourage constituent councils to work with district councils including Basildon, as well as close collaboration between the new Mayoral Strategic Authorities on the DPP, including ahead of the inaugural mayoral election. We are working with relevant Government Departments to ensure an effective transfer of police and fire function.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he intends to review the voting arrangements of the interim Combined County Authority of Greater Essex in light of the cancellation of the 2026 mayoral election.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Following Ministerial and official consideration, we are minded to hold inaugural mayoral elections for the four Devolution Priority Programme places that are also undertaking local government reorganisation – including Greater Essex – in May 2028 rather than May 2026, so that areas can complete the reorganisation process before Mayors take office.
Subject to constituent authorities’ consent, we will establish the Mayoral Strategic Authorities in all areas as soon as possible, to ensure sufficient time for preparatory work ahead of the Mayor taking office and allowing areas to build local collaboration. This was announced to the House on 4 December and communicated to the constituent councils on 3 December.
We remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas announced on 4 December. We will provide £1 million Mayoral Capacity Funding for all areas following the laying of the secondary legislation, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years. Greater Essex will receive a third of their annual investment fund in both 2026 and 2027, and receive their full annual allocations thereafter.
We will establish Mayoral Strategic Authorities as we have proposed. The Greater Essex Combined County Authority’s constituent councils will remain Essex County, Thurrock and Southend on Sea councils. We will continue to encourage constituent councils to work with district councils including Basildon, as well as close collaboration between the new Mayoral Strategic Authorities on the DPP, including ahead of the inaugural mayoral election. We are working with relevant Government Departments to ensure an effective transfer of police and fire function.