Every parliamentary written question tabled by David Simmonds this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 841–860 of 874 · this parliament
Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to introduce a building safety levy.
Yes. The Building Safety Act 2022 gives the Secretary of State powers to make regulations which charge a levy on building control applications for the purpose of meeting building safety expenditure. We will bring forward regulations to make sure that thos...
Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of expanding devolution powers to district council areas.
The Government is committed to ensuring that every part of England can rapidly benefit from devolution, moving power out of Westminster back to those who know their areas best. The English Devolution Bill will establish an ambitious standardised framework...
Communities and Local Government, what flags she plans to fly outside her Department other than the Union flag in the next 12 months; and on which days each flag will be flown.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is a minor tenant in the buildings it occupies. At only one, the Department's second HQ at Wolverhampton, does it control of what flags are flown. In the next 12 months at the Wolverhampton HQ, the Ministry will fly flags in addition to the Union flag to mark events of national and international significance, as directed by the Department of Culture, Media and Sports Ceremonial Team.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to the King's Speech on 17 July 2024, who would be responsible for determining the sale price of a property under Community Right to Buy.
The government recognises the vital importance of high streets and community spaces and is committed to supporting them to thrive across the country. As part of this, we are developing proposals to introduce a Community Right to Buy which will empower local people to preserve the places and spaces important to them.My department is working hard to consider the most effective and balanced valuation method as part of these proposals and will provide more detail on how this will work in due course.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 26 July 2024, to Question 1315, on Environmental protection, what her planned timetable is for replacing legacy legislation on environmental assessment with the new outcome reporting regime.
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer I gave to Question UIN 1315 on 26 July 2024.
Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to issue guidance on equality, diversity and inclusion in planning.
This Government is committed to ensuring that planning decisions reflect the diverse needs of local communities. National planning policy already sets out the need to assess and meet the requirements of different groups, and we are consulting on proposed changes that will strengthen this, such as requiring stronger consideration of those in need of social housing. Any changes to the NPPF also undergo Equalities Impact Assessments in line with the Public Sector Equality Duty set out in the Equality Act 2010.
Communities and Local Government, when the recruitment of 300 new planning officers will begin.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave to Question UIN 1007 on 25 July 2024.
Communities and Local Government, what her planning policy is on (a) authorised and (b) unauthorised traveller sites in the Green Belt.
The Government is currently consulting on a number of reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework. These include proposals to release low-quality grey belt land within the Green Belt to meet housing and other development needs. We are seeking views on how the proposals under the NPPF would apply to traveller sites, particularly concerning the sequential test to guide release, the definition of grey belt and previously developed land, and proposals that are considered not to be inappropriate development.The Planning Policy for Traveller Sites sets out that local authorities should produce their own assessment of need and plan to meet this need through their Local Plan.Local planning authorities have a wide range of enforcement powers, with strong penalties for non-compliance, which they can use to tackle all types of unauthorised development. Our proposals do not impact on these and we will keep the use of them under review.
Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of her proposed regulatory changes on the private rented sector in relation to (a) the level of rents for new tenancies and (b) the supply of homes available on the market for private rent.
An impact assessment for the regulatory changes proposed in the forthcoming Renters’ Rights Bill will be published in the usual way.
Pursuant to the Answer of 25 July 2024 to Question 409 on Business Rates, whether she plans to take steps to review business rate (a) poundage, (b) reliefs, (c) multipliers and (d) valuations.
The government is committed to a business rates system which raises the same revenue but in a fairer way. The government has pledged to level the playing field between the high street and online giants, incentivise investment, tackle empty properties and support entrepreneurship. The government will work closely with all stakeholders, including those businesses that shoulder the greatest burden from business rates, as it develops the detail of its reforms. The Government will set out further details in due course.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of ending the Investment Opportunity Fund on trends in (a) domestic growth and (b) direct investment into the UK.
Economic growth is the number one mission of this Government. The Government has committed to delivering productivity growth in every part of the country, making everyone, not just a few, better off. As part of this, Government will work in partnership with local leaders to develop ambitious, long-term Local Growth Plans reflecting their local strengths and opportunities to support the national growth mission and new Industrial Strategy.Immediate action to fix the foundations of the economy is the only way to rebuild Britain and make every person and every part of the country better off. We are being honest about those schemes that we cannot afford to deliver so that we can fix the foundations of our economy by addressing spending pressures and repairing the public finances.The Investment Opportunity Fund, which was launched at Autumn Statement 2023, has yet to provide support to any projects.
Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of creating more (a) town and (b) parish councils.
The Government is committed to promoting local democracy and community empowerment. Parish and town councils are the first tier of local government, often playing a vital role in community engagement and delivering local services. The power to create parish councils is devolved to local authorities and the communities they serve through the community governance review process.
Communities and Local Government, whether civil servants in her Department are required to be in the office for at least 60% of their work time.
The department expects staff to work toward attending the office or other premises for official business for 60% of their working time. Some of our offices cannot currently accommodate this level of attendance and lower expectations are therefore in place.
Communities and Local Government, when she will publish the consultation on the scope and content of National Development Management Policies.
A consultation on National Development Management Policies is under development and it will be launched in due course.
Communities and Local Government, what her policy is on the protection of residential gardens from development.
The Government expects local planning authorities to consider the case for setting out policies to resist inappropriate development of residential gardens, for example where development would cause harm to the local area.
Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to hold further rounds of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Decisions on funding post March 2025 are a matter for the Budget on October 30th.We recognise the challenges this brings for some projects. We are working closely with local authorities and key stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition to future funding, so communities continue to benefit from this vital support. In the meantime, officials remain available to discuss any issues impacting delivery.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Expert taskforce to spearhead a new generation of new towns, published on 31 July 2024, what the remuneration for (a) Dame Kate Barker and (b) Sir Michael Lyons is; what the terms of reference were for their appointment; if she will publish any declaration of interests; and whether they have made any declaration of political activity.
We are committed to delivering a new generation of new towns, with locations informed by the recommendations of an independent, expert New Towns Taskforce. New towns will include large-scale new communities built on greenfield land and separated from other nearby settlements, but also a larger number of urban extensions and urban regeneration schemes. Each new settlement will contain at least 10,000 homes, although we expect a number to be far larger in size. Collectively, we expect they could provide hundreds of thousands more homes in the decades to come, with some homes delivered within this Parliament. Any assessment of how many homes will be delivered within this Parliament will need to be informed by the locations selected, in line with the recommendations of the Taskforce.In relation to engaging local communities, we have been clear that the Taskforce will work in partnership with local leaders and communities wherever possible, but its selection of sites will be made in the national interest. New towns will be delivered in partnership with local leaders and communities. We will set out further details of the Taskforce in the coming weeks, ahead of the appointment of the other Taskforce members and its first meeting in the autumn.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's policy statement on new towns, published on 31 July 2024, what her target is for the number of new homes that will be completed in this Parliament under the New Towns programme.
We are committed to delivering a new generation of new towns, with locations informed by the recommendations of an independent, expert New Towns Taskforce. New towns will include large-scale new communities built on greenfield land and separated from other nearby settlements, but also a larger number of urban extensions and urban regeneration schemes. Each new settlement will contain at least 10,000 homes, although we expect a number to be far larger in size. Collectively, we expect they could provide hundreds of thousands more homes in the decades to come, with some homes delivered within this Parliament. Any assessment of how many homes will be delivered within this Parliament will need to be informed by the locations selected, in line with the recommendations of the Taskforce.In relation to engaging local communities, we have been clear that the Taskforce will work in partnership with local leaders and communities wherever possible, but its selection of sites will be made in the national interest. New towns will be delivered in partnership with local leaders and communities. We will set out further details of the Taskforce in the coming weeks, ahead of the appointment of the other Taskforce members and its first meeting in the autumn.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's policy statement on new towns, published on 31 July 2024, whether the support of (a) the local planning authority and (b) local MPs will be a requirement for a new town proposal being taken forward.
We are committed to delivering a new generation of new towns, with locations informed by the recommendations of an independent, expert New Towns Taskforce. New towns will include large-scale new communities built on greenfield land and separated from other nearby settlements, but also a larger number of urban extensions and urban regeneration schemes. Each new settlement will contain at least 10,000 homes, although we expect a number to be far larger in size. Collectively, we expect they could provide hundreds of thousands more homes in the decades to come, with some homes delivered within this Parliament. Any assessment of how many homes will be delivered within this Parliament will need to be informed by the locations selected, in line with the recommendations of the Taskforce.In relation to engaging local communities, we have been clear that the Taskforce will work in partnership with local leaders and communities wherever possible, but its selection of sites will be made in the national interest. New towns will be delivered in partnership with local leaders and communities. We will set out further details of the Taskforce in the coming weeks, ahead of the appointment of the other Taskforce members and its first meeting in the autumn.
Communities and Local Government, what estimate her Department has made of the number of planning officers needed to manage Development Consent Orders for energy infrastructure under the 2030 decarbonisation target.
Examining Development Consent Orders for energy projects is one of a range of workstreams which the Planning Inspectorate will need to undertake. As part of the Spending Review, the Planning Inspectorate is considering the overall funding and resources it will require over the spending review period and will work closely with MHCLG on priorities and available funding.