Written questions by McMurdock.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Regulator of Social Housing's decision entitled Basildon Borough Council (22UB) - Regulatory Judgement: 15 April 2026, published on 15 April 2026, what assessment she has made of the extent of unresolved health and safety issues identified in the housing stock managed by Basildon Borough Council.

All registered providers of social housing are required to deliver the outcomes of the regulatory standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing. Under the Safety and Quality Standard, landlords must take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of tenants in their homes and provide an effective and timely repairs service for the homes for which they are responsible. Under the Transparency, Influence and Accountability standard, registered providers are required to treat tenants with fairness and respect and take action to deliver fair and equitable outcomes for them as well as, where relevant, prospective tenants. Since the introduction of the proactive consumer regulation regime in April 2024, the Regulator has begun carrying out regular inspections of large providers to ensure they are delivering the outcomes of its standards. The Regulator has strong enforcement powers to take effective action when it identifies serious failings. Following its regulatory judgement, the Regulator will seek assurance that Basildon Borough Council understands the risks to tenants and is taking appropriate action to mitigate them. The Regulator operates a co-regulatory approach, under which landlords are responsible for ensuring they meet the outcomes of the standards and for addressing problems when they arise. Where a problem is material, the Regulator expects landlords to inform them through self-referral and failure to do so may be taken into account by the Regulator when deciding on any appropriate regulatory action.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Regulator of Social Housing's decision entitled Basildon Borough Council (22UB) - Regulatory Judgement: 15 April 2026, published on 15 April 2026, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that tenants of Basildon Borough Council are not exposed to risks arising from failures in meeting health and safety requirements.

All registered providers of social housing are required to deliver the outcomes of the regulatory standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing. Under the Safety and Quality Standard, landlords must take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of tenants in their homes and provide an effective and timely repairs service for the homes for which they are responsible. Under the Transparency, Influence and Accountability standard, registered providers are required to treat tenants with fairness and respect and take action to deliver fair and equitable outcomes for them as well as, where relevant, prospective tenants. Since the introduction of the proactive consumer regulation regime in April 2024, the Regulator has begun carrying out regular inspections of large providers to ensure they are delivering the outcomes of its standards. The Regulator has strong enforcement powers to take effective action when it identifies serious failings. Following its regulatory judgement, the Regulator will seek assurance that Basildon Borough Council understands the risks to tenants and is taking appropriate action to mitigate them. The Regulator operates a co-regulatory approach, under which landlords are responsible for ensuring they meet the outcomes of the standards and for addressing problems when they arise. Where a problem is material, the Regulator expects landlords to inform them through self-referral and failure to do so may be taken into account by the Regulator when deciding on any appropriate regulatory action.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Regulator of Social Housing's decision entitled Basildon Borough Council (22UB) - Regulatory Judgement: 15 April 2026, published on 15 April 2026, what steps are being taken to improve oversight of housing contractors in local authorities where serious failings have been identified.

All registered providers of social housing are required to deliver the outcomes of the regulatory standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing. Under the Safety and Quality Standard, landlords must take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of tenants in their homes and provide an effective and timely repairs service for the homes for which they are responsible. Under the Transparency, Influence and Accountability standard, registered providers are required to treat tenants with fairness and respect and take action to deliver fair and equitable outcomes for them as well as, where relevant, prospective tenants. Since the introduction of the proactive consumer regulation regime in April 2024, the Regulator has begun carrying out regular inspections of large providers to ensure they are delivering the outcomes of its standards. The Regulator has strong enforcement powers to take effective action when it identifies serious failings. Following its regulatory judgement, the Regulator will seek assurance that Basildon Borough Council understands the risks to tenants and is taking appropriate action to mitigate them. The Regulator operates a co-regulatory approach, under which landlords are responsible for ensuring they meet the outcomes of the standards and for addressing problems when they arise. Where a problem is material, the Regulator expects landlords to inform them through self-referral and failure to do so may be taken into account by the Regulator when deciding on any appropriate regulatory action.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Regulator of Social Housing's decision entitled Basildon Borough Council (22UB) - Regulatory Judgement: 15 April 2026, published on 15 April 2026, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of tenant engagement and scrutiny arrangements at councils for maintaining suitable housing standards, including at Basildon Borough Council.

All registered providers of social housing are required to deliver the outcomes of the regulatory standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing. Under the Safety and Quality Standard, landlords must take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of tenants in their homes and provide an effective and timely repairs service for the homes for which they are responsible. Under the Transparency, Influence and Accountability standard, registered providers are required to treat tenants with fairness and respect and take action to deliver fair and equitable outcomes for them as well as, where relevant, prospective tenants. Since the introduction of the proactive consumer regulation regime in April 2024, the Regulator has begun carrying out regular inspections of large providers to ensure they are delivering the outcomes of its standards. The Regulator has strong enforcement powers to take effective action when it identifies serious failings. Following its regulatory judgement, the Regulator will seek assurance that Basildon Borough Council understands the risks to tenants and is taking appropriate action to mitigate them. The Regulator operates a co-regulatory approach, under which landlords are responsible for ensuring they meet the outcomes of the standards and for addressing problems when they arise. Where a problem is material, the Regulator expects landlords to inform them through self-referral and failure to do so may be taken into account by the Regulator when deciding on any appropriate regulatory action.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Regulator of Social Housing's decision entitled Basildon Borough Council (22UB) - Regulatory Judgement: 15 April 2026, published on 15 April 2026, what assessment she has made of the findings that Basildon Borough Council has failed to meet consumer standards and been assigned a C4 grading.

All registered providers of social housing are required to deliver the outcomes of the regulatory standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing. Under the Safety and Quality Standard, landlords must take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of tenants in their homes and provide an effective and timely repairs service for the homes for which they are responsible. Under the Transparency, Influence and Accountability standard, registered providers are required to treat tenants with fairness and respect and take action to deliver fair and equitable outcomes for them as well as, where relevant, prospective tenants. Since the introduction of the proactive consumer regulation regime in April 2024, the Regulator has begun carrying out regular inspections of large providers to ensure they are delivering the outcomes of its standards. The Regulator has strong enforcement powers to take effective action when it identifies serious failings. Following its regulatory judgement, the Regulator will seek assurance that Basildon Borough Council understands the risks to tenants and is taking appropriate action to mitigate them. The Regulator operates a co-regulatory approach, under which landlords are responsible for ensuring they meet the outcomes of the standards and for addressing problems when they arise. Where a problem is material, the Regulator expects landlords to inform them through self-referral and failure to do so may be taken into account by the Regulator when deciding on any appropriate regulatory action.

Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on of the number of people currently in council tax debt in (a) England, (b) Thurrock, (c) Basildon and (d) Essex.

The government does not collect data on the number of households which have missed council tax payments or data on the actions councils take to recover these debts. The government expects councils to proportionate in the actions they take to recover debts and sympathetic to those in hardship.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of council tax debt enforcement on the level of demand for local authority homelessness services in (a) England, (b) Thurrock, (c) Basildon and (d) Essex in the last 12 months.

The government expects councils to be proportionate in the actions they take to recover debts and sympathetic to those in hardship.The government has now published a response to its consultation on council tax administration setting out a package of reforms to the enforcement of council tax debts. These will deliver a fairer and more supportive system for taxpayers, reducing the number of households facing enforcement action. This consultation response can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the number of referrals made by local authorities to enforcement agents for the collection of council tax debt in (a) England, (b) Thurrock, (c) Basildon and (d) Essex in the last 12 months.

The government does not collect data on the number of households which have missed council tax payments or data on the actions councils take to recover these debts. The government expects councils to proportionate in the actions they take to recover debts and sympathetic to those in hardship.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to his decision letter to Essex council leaders on local government reorganisation, dated 25 March 2026, if he will publish representations received from local authorities in Essex on the final decision on local government in Essex.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to his decision letter to council leaders in Essex on local government reorganisation, dated 25 March 2026, what plans he has to publish any representations from council leaders in Essex further to that decision letter.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to his decision letter to council leaders in Essex on local government reorganisation, dated 25 March 2026, whether he discussed the proposed models of local government reorganisation with the leaders of (a) Thurrock Council, (b) Basildon Council and (c) Essex County Council before making his final decision.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to his decision letter to Essex council leaders on local government reorganisation, dated 25 March 2026, on what date the decision outlined in his letter was formally taken.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to his decision letter to Essex council leaders on local government reorganisation, dated 25 March 2026, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the local government model for Essex.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to his decision letter to Essex council leaders on local government reorganisation, dated 25 March 2026, how many consultation responses he reviewed from members of the public before deciding on the local government model for Essex.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to his decision letter to council leaders in Essex on local government reorganisation, dated 25 March 2026, when he plans to bring forward legislation to implement his decision on local government reorganisation in Essex.

Subject to Parliamentary approval, new unitary councils are expected to take on full council functions from 1 April 2028, with elections to new shadow councils in May 2027. The scheme of elections for the new councils will be set out in the Structural Changes Order, with all‑out elections expected, in line with previous reorganisations. Under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, only certain types of councils may resolve to move from whole‑council elections to elections by thirds, and these provisions do not apply to newly established councils. As set out in the Secretary of State’s letter of 26 March 2026, it is anticipated that the Structural Changes Order will be brought forward in the Autumn. No decisions have yet been taken on the warding arrangements, including how many wards there will be and how many councillors will serve each ward. As set out in the Department’s letter of 26 March, councils in Essex have been asked to submit their suggested interim warding arrangements, based on existing wards, divisions and parish boundaries, by 29 May for inclusion in the Structural Changes Order.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his Department’s letter to Essex councils dated 26 March 2026, whether shadow councils will be permitted to decide whether to retain the all out election frequency, or move to elections by thirds or halves after the 2027 election.

Subject to Parliamentary approval, new unitary councils are expected to take on full council functions from 1 April 2028, with elections to new shadow councils in May 2027. The scheme of elections for the new councils will be set out in the Structural Changes Order, with all‑out elections expected, in line with previous reorganisations. Under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, only certain types of councils may resolve to move from whole‑council elections to elections by thirds, and these provisions do not apply to newly established councils. As set out in the Secretary of State’s letter of 26 March 2026, it is anticipated that the Structural Changes Order will be brought forward in the Autumn. No decisions have yet been taken on the warding arrangements, including how many wards there will be and how many councillors will serve each ward. As set out in the Department’s letter of 26 March, councils in Essex have been asked to submit their suggested interim warding arrangements, based on existing wards, divisions and parish boundaries, by 29 May for inclusion in the Structural Changes Order.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his Department’s letter to Essex councils dated 26 March 2026, whether the total number of councillors per new local authority can be amended from the currently announced figures during the initial local government boundary review process.

The Department’s letter of 26 March set out the Secretary of State’s decisions for inclusion in the proposed Structural Change Order, including the intended total number of councillors for each new council, based on the proposals submitted. Those figures will inform the Order, subject to the Parliamentary process. Interim warding arrangements are required to support first elections to new councils. They differ from a full electoral review, reflecting the need to put transitional arrangements in place within the available timetable for reorganisation. This is the usual process for reorganisation. The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is responsible for delivering fair electoral and boundary arrangements for English councils. It is an independent body accountable to Parliament that reviews the electoral and boundary arrangements of councils and is responsible for calculating the appropriate number of Councillors per authority and assessing the appropriate ward boundaries, taking into account local issues. The Commission intend to undertake a full electoral review of all new councils after their first election and before their second. As set out in the letter, Joint Committees will be established for each new council area and will comprise members drawn from the relevant predecessor authorities. The process for nominating members will be determined by those councils within the framework provided by the Order.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his Department’s letter to Essex councils dated 26 March 2026, whether the public and local parties will be able to contribute to the initial boundary review process.

The Department’s letter of 26 March set out the Secretary of State’s decisions for inclusion in the proposed Structural Change Order, including the intended total number of councillors for each new council, based on the proposals submitted. Those figures will inform the Order, subject to the Parliamentary process. Interim warding arrangements are required to support first elections to new councils. They differ from a full electoral review, reflecting the need to put transitional arrangements in place within the available timetable for reorganisation. This is the usual process for reorganisation. The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is responsible for delivering fair electoral and boundary arrangements for English councils. It is an independent body accountable to Parliament that reviews the electoral and boundary arrangements of councils and is responsible for calculating the appropriate number of Councillors per authority and assessing the appropriate ward boundaries, taking into account local issues. The Commission intend to undertake a full electoral review of all new councils after their first election and before their second. As set out in the letter, Joint Committees will be established for each new council area and will comprise members drawn from the relevant predecessor authorities. The process for nominating members will be determined by those councils within the framework provided by the Order.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his Department’s letter to Essex councils dated 26 March 2026, why his Department believe the usual criteria are unlikely to be met in the same way as a full review, regarding the initial proposal of ward boundaries.

The Department’s letter of 26 March set out the Secretary of State’s decisions for inclusion in the proposed Structural Change Order, including the intended total number of councillors for each new council, based on the proposals submitted. Those figures will inform the Order, subject to the Parliamentary process. Interim warding arrangements are required to support first elections to new councils. They differ from a full electoral review, reflecting the need to put transitional arrangements in place within the available timetable for reorganisation. This is the usual process for reorganisation. The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is responsible for delivering fair electoral and boundary arrangements for English councils. It is an independent body accountable to Parliament that reviews the electoral and boundary arrangements of councils and is responsible for calculating the appropriate number of Councillors per authority and assessing the appropriate ward boundaries, taking into account local issues. The Commission intend to undertake a full electoral review of all new councils after their first election and before their second. As set out in the letter, Joint Committees will be established for each new council area and will comprise members drawn from the relevant predecessor authorities. The process for nominating members will be determined by those councils within the framework provided by the Order.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his Department’s letter to Essex councils dated 26 March 2026, whether new shadow council wards in South West Essex Council will be required to have three councillors each.

Subject to Parliamentary approval, new unitary councils are expected to take on full council functions from 1 April 2028, with elections to new shadow councils in May 2027. The scheme of elections for the new councils will be set out in the Structural Changes Order, with all‑out elections expected, in line with previous reorganisations. Under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, only certain types of councils may resolve to move from whole‑council elections to elections by thirds, and these provisions do not apply to newly established councils. As set out in the Secretary of State’s letter of 26 March 2026, it is anticipated that the Structural Changes Order will be brought forward in the Autumn. No decisions have yet been taken on the warding arrangements, including how many wards there will be and how many councillors will serve each ward. As set out in the Department’s letter of 26 March, councils in Essex have been asked to submit their suggested interim warding arrangements, based on existing wards, divisions and parish boundaries, by 29 May for inclusion in the Structural Changes Order.