Written questions by Rosindell.

Communities and Local Government, how many Voter Authority Certificates have been issued in Romford constituency.

This data is not held centrally but is held by the Electoral Registration Officer and is therefore their data to disclose.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help ensure the protection of green spaces in the London Borough of Havering.

Havering is one of the greenest boroughs in London, this has been recognised through the MHCLG-owned Green Flag Awards Scheme, with 16 Havering sites being awarded Green Flag status. This Green Flag Award sets the national standard for parks and green spaces that are welcoming, safe, well-maintained and promote biodiversity and community participation.The Government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) allows communities to designate land as Local Green Space, in order to protect green areas that are important to them. Designating land as Local Green Space should be consistent with the local planning of sustainable development and complement investment in sufficient homes, jobs and other essential services. We are consulting on ‘golden rules’ in relation to grey and green belt release to ensure development benefits communities and nature.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to protect the greenbelt in (a) Romford constituency and (b) the London Borough of Havering.

The Government set out details of proposed reforms relating to brownfield, grey belt, and the Green Belt in the consultation on our approach to revising the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system that began on Tuesday 30 July and closes on Tuesday 24 September.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her Department’s policy to amend local authorities’ statutory service obligations.

Local authorities play a crucial role in the delivery of this Government’s missions, from driving growth, to delivering opportunities for all. We are fully focussed on resetting the relationship between national and local government, working together in a trusting and productive partnership so local people get the support and services they need and deserve.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she has taken to reduce the likelihood of local authority bankruptcies in (a) Romford and (b) England.

This Government is committed to reducing the financial uncertainty that councils face, and to improve the local government finance landscape in this Parliament. We will do this by providing multi-year funding settlements, ending competitive bidding and reforming the local audit system.Immediate future local authority funding decisions will be a matter for the next Spending Review and Local Government Finance Settlement. The department will work with Local Government leaders to ensure they are better able to fulfil their statutory duties.This Government recognises the vital work that local councils do for their communities, and we stand ready to speak to any council that is experiencing financial difficulties.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her Department’s policy to restructure the local government funding formula.

This Government is committed to reducing the financial uncertainty that councils face, and to improve the local government finance landscape in this Parliament. We will do this by providing multi-year funding settlements, ending competitive bidding and reforming the local audit system.Immediate future local authority funding decisions will be a matter for the next Spending Review and Local Government Finance Settlement. The department will work with Local Government leaders to ensure they are better able to fulfil their statutory duties.This Government recognises the vital work that local councils do for their communities, and we stand ready to speak to any council that is experiencing financial difficulties.