Written questions by Hollinrake.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2025 to Question 23355 on Housing: Windows, what the (a) local exceptions and (b) other consents are that require a planning application to replace single glazed windows.

Replacement windows usually benefit from permitted development rights and a planning application is therefore not required.However, local planning authorities have planning powers to make an ‘Article 4 direction’ to remove a permitted development right where they consider doing so to be appropriate.Replacement windows in listed buildings may require listed building consent if they affect the special historic or architectural interest of the building.

Communities and Local Government, what the average Band D council tax is for England (a) excluding and (b) including parish precepts in 2025-26.

Council tax levels are decided by local authorities, taking account of their local circumstances. The Government will publish data on the council tax levels set by all authorities and the average Band D bill for 2025-26, in England, in March. The Government maintains a referendum threshold so that voters can have the final say over excessive increases.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 24 January 2024 to Question 24506, on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, what guidance (a) her Department and (b) the Planning Inspectorate has issued to planning inspectors on deciding how much weight to give to representations that are believed have been submitted as a result of foreign interference.

Section 1.8 of the Planning Inspectorate’s ‘Called-in planning applications: procedural guide’ explains the role of the Inspector at the inquiry and what they will take into account. The weight to be given to any representation received is a matter for Inspectors based on the specific circumstances of the case, and the information and evidence before them, which includes written representations and those representations given verbally at an event.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2025 to Question 23867 on Local Government Finance, what core spending power excluding council tax was in each local authority in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26.

Core Spending Power measures the core revenue funding available for local authority services through the local government finance settlement. Core Spending Power has been the government’s chosen measure of resources because it gives a consistent measure of resources available to any local authority across revenue grant funding made available through the settlement, locally retained business rates and council tax. The new government has continued this approach. Further information about each local authority’s core spending power can be accessed using the following links: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/key-information-table-for-local-authorities-final-local-government-finance-settlement-2025-to-2026 and https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/core-spending-power-table-final-local-government-finance-settlement-2025-to-2026.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to monitor municipal borrowing by (a) combined authorities and (b) combined county authorities.

We will create in law the concept of a Strategic Authority, with three levels. Foundation Strategic Authorities, Mayoral Strategic Authorities and Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities. A Strategic Authority will typically be a combined authority, combined county authority or, in London, the Greater London Authority. The powers and funding areas receive will depend on which level of Strategic Authority it is, not whether it is a combined authority or a combined county authority. Local authorities, including combined authorities, are responsible for their own borrowing and investment decisions but must do so within the framework of legislation and guidance designed to support borrowing that is prudent, affordable and sustainable. The government has responsibility for the framework and uses information and data from a range of sources to monitor sector behaviour, including levels of borrowing and debt, to determine if changes to the framework are needed to better constrain risk. Where excessive risk from borrowing practices is identified in an individual authority, the government will take direct action if necessary.

Communities and Local Government, what disclosures her Department has made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 on special adviser meetings with external organisations.

We have not received any such requests for disclosure under the FOI Act since 5 July 2024.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2025 to Question 24189 on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, how many submissions to the Planning Inspectorate’s inquiry were accepted after the deadline for submissions.

Representations that were made to the inquiry subsequent to the deadline for submissions can be viewed in the inquiry library here.

Communities and Local Government, what her policy is on the use of Special Development Orders.

Special Development Orders are a long-established part of the planning system. Each case is considered on its individual merits. The government has no plans to change this arrangement.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2025 to Question 24189 on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, whether representations made to the London Borough of Tower Hamlets on the 2024 Chinese Embassy planning application have been transferred to the Planning Inspectorate; whether representations not resubmitted to the Planning Inspectorate by the respondent are deemed to be material planning considerations in the planning inquiry; and if she will publish such representations.

Representations made to the London Borough of Tower Hamlets with regard to the 2024 Chinese Embassy planning application have been transferred to the Planning Inspectorate.These representations are deemed to be material considerations in the planning inquiry.The Planning Inspectorate does not publish such representations.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 24 December 2024 to Question 20226 on Environmental Impact Assessment, what her planned timetable is for (a) consultation and (b) secondary legislation.

The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 includes a number of duties to consult on the core elements of the new system of Environmental Outcomes Reports – including the setting of outcomes.The government will consult on draft regulations in due course following policy development and engagement with key stakeholders.While we want to realise the benefits of reform as quickly as possible, we recognise the need to manage the transition to the new system carefully. Until a new system is implemented, current legislation on environmental assessment and its supporting guidance continues to apply.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of affordable housing levies on the (a) cost and (b) size of housing units in developments.

I interpret ‘affordable housing levies’ in this context to mean affordable housing policy requirements.As set out in Planning Policy Guidance on viability, which can be found on gov.uk here, policy requirements for developer contributions should be informed by evidence of infrastructure and affordable housing need, and a proportionate assessment of viability that takes into account all relevant policies, and local and national standards, including the cost implications of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and section 106. Plan makers should consider how needs and viability may differ between site typologies and may choose to set different policy requirements for different sites or types of development in their plans.The government intends to review the guidance on viability, and we are also committed to strengthening the existing system of developer contributions to ensure new developments provide necessary affordable homes and infrastructure. Further details will be set out in due course.The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published on 12 December includes new Golden Rules for development on the Green Belt. Prior to development plan policies for affordable housing being updated in accordance with the revised NPPF, the affordable housing contribution required to satisfy the ‘Golden Rules’ is 15 percentage points above the highest existing affordable housing requirement that would otherwise apply to the development, subject to a cap of 50%. We estimate that under this model, the median Green Belt local planning authority affordable housing requirement will be 50%.

Communities and Local Government, whether renting out a dwelling on Airbnb for ongoing short-term lets constitutes a material change of use.

In London, primary legislation identifies where there is a material change of use from dwellings to temporary sleeping accommodation.In all other cases, whether there is a material change of use is a matter of fact and degree and will depend on the circumstances of any given case.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 1 August 2024 to Question 1517 on Wind Power: Planning Permission, and with reference to the Environmental Information Regulations request with reference EIR2024/17924, for what reason the requested information was released under the EIR regime; and if she will now publish that substantive disclosure.

Environmental principles assessments are not routinely published. However, the information in question was released following a request under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

Communities and Local Government, whether (a) Russian and (b) Chinese citizens on the Scottish electoral register but not on the UK Parliamentary register are able to donate to UK (a) politicians and (b) political parties.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the Question UIN 25690 on 30 January 2025.

Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to (a) ensure the standardisation of the administration of and (b) review her Department's (i) guidance and (ii) backdating policy in relation to Council Tax (A) discounts, (B) exemptions and (C) disregards for people (1) with severe mental impairments and (2) living with people with severe mental impairments.

Local councils are responsible for the administration of council tax discounts, disregards and exemptions, including those relating to people with a severe mental impairment. The government understands the importance of these provisions and keeps all council tax policies and relevant guidance under review.

Communities and Local Government, what responsibilities Strategic Authorities will have for setting (a) locations and (b) targets for new traveller pitches in the spatial areas for which they have planning oversight.

The English Devolution White Paper, Power and Partnership: Foundations for Growth, sets out that all strategic authorities will have a duty to produce a Spatial Development Strategy.Spatial Development Strategies will guide development for the local planning authorities in any given area, and their local plans will need to be in general conformity with them. Further detail will be set out in legislation in due course.It is too early at this stage to make a firm commitment as to their role in relation to authorised traveller pitches.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure the continued operation of late-night venues in central London in relation to (a) business rates, (b) planning, (c) licensing; and what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of trends in the number of closures of (i) late-night venues and (ii) late-night venues for LGBT customers.

The night-time industry plays an important role in high streets and town centres across the country. To help high street businesses, as set out at Autumn Budget 2024, we intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, with rateable values below £500,000, from 2026-27.We recognise planning and licensing decisions can impact the continued operation of late-night venues. The Licensing Act 2003 aims to strike the right balance between providing safeguards to prevent nuisance, crime and disorder, while recognising the contribution licensed premises make to thriving night-time economies. The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that existing businesses and facilities should not have unreasonable restrictions placed on them as a result of development permitted after they were established.Research has indicated a decline in the number of night-time economy venues in the UK between 2018 and 2023. We are working with the Hospitality Sector Council to improve the resilience of hospitality businesses, including those operating in the night time economy.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's consultation entitled Strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England published on 18 December 2024, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of her proposals on standards in local government on free speech.

I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 30628 on 19 February 2025, which noted that the results of the ongoing consultation on a range of proposals to strengthen the local government standards regime will help to inform any policy or legislative change.The Government will take into account the full range of views and considerations raised by consultation respondents, including local authorities, council members and officers, sector representative bodies, and members of the public, when developing and finalising its proposals for local government standards reform.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 24 January 2024 to Question 25392 on Local Government: Devolution, whether her Department plans to undertake a Regulatory Impact Assessment in relation to its proposals on local government reorganisation.

The potential impact of local government reorganisation on individual areas will be a matter for local councils to consider as they develop their proposals for reorganisation. As set out in the published criteria for proposals, unitary structures must prioritise the delivery of high quality and sustainable public services to citizens; proposals should show how new structures will improve local government and service delivery and should avoid unnecessary fragmentation of services.Following submission, I will consider any and all proposals carefully before taking decisions on how to proceed.

Communities and Local Government, whether it is her Department's target to build 1.5 million houses by July 2029.

The government’s Plan for Change includes an ambitious milestone of building 1.5 million safe and decent homes in England in this Parliament. Progress will be measured through the number of net additional dwellings, and we will continue to update Parliament in the usual manner.