Written questions by Hollinrake.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of her proposals for local government restructuring on (a) planning capacity and (b) the number of planners working in local authorities.

There has not yet been a direct assessment of the potential impact of proposals for local government restructuring on planning capacity or planning workforce numbers. This 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, we will consider all proposals carefully before taking decisions on how to proceed. To support with capacity related to local government reorganisation, the government intends to provide some funding for preparing to take forward any proposal, and we will share further information later in the process. More widely, at the Budget, the government announced a £46 million package of investment into the planning system to support capacity and capability in local planning authorities, including through the recruitment and training of 300 graduate and apprentice planners and the development of skills needed to implement reforms and unlock housing delivery.

Whether her Department has a list of organisations or groups that it does not engage with.

There are many organisations that the Home Office does not engage with, but there is no central list of the kind that the Hon Member describes.

What estimate she has made of the potential impact of changes to retail, hospitality and leisure rate relief between 2024-25 and 2025-26 on levels of business rates for municipal swimming pools.

Without any Government intervention, Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) relief would have ended entirely in April 2025, creating a cliff-edge for businesses. Instead, the Government has decided to offer a 40 per cent discount to RHL properties up to a cash cap of £110,0000 per business in 2025-26 and frozen the small business multiplier. At Budget, the Government also announced that from 2026-27, it intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for RHL properties with rateable values below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. The Government intends to fund this by introducing a higher multiplier on the most valuable properties, which includes the majority of large distribution warehouses, including warehouses used by online giants. The rates for any new business rate multipliers will be set at Budget 2025 so that the Government can take into account the upcoming revaluation outcomes as well as the economic and fiscal context.

Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department has issued to local authorities on (a) public participation and (b) engagement with hon. Members in (i) council and (ii) combined authority meetings.

We have not issued guidance on public participation or engagement with MPs in council meetings.In 2014 the Department for Communities and Local Government published a plain English guide to open and accountable local government. This guidance addressed the public’s right to attend and report on council meetings, and related matters such as access to meeting documents.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the correspondence entitled Local government reorganisation: invitation to local authorities in two-tier areas, published on 6 February 2025, whether members of the public can respond to the invitation letters; and what weight will be given to representations from organisations other than the (a) principal authorities and (b) town and parish councils.

The formal invitations to submit unitary proposals were sent to the leaders of all the councils in two tier areas and their neighbouring small unitaries. These letters have been published on gov.uk. The letters set out the criteria for the development of unitary proposals, as well as the process that will be followed. The letter asks areas to provide an interim plan to Government on or before 21 March 2025, and provides guidance as to what areas should include in their interim plans. The letters set out expectations that areas jointly develop and submit a single proposal however there will be some cases when it is not possible for all councils in an area to jointly develop and submit a proposal and Government will consider any suitable proposals submitted by the relevant local authorities. It is for councils to respond to the invitation letters, having developed robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of their whole area. They should engage their Members of Parliament, and ensure there is wide engagement with local partners and stakeholders, residents, workforce and their representatives, and businesses in working up their proposals. The letter sets out that once a proposal has been submitted, it will be for the Secretary of State to decide on taking a proposal forward and will consult on proposals, as required by statute.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2025 to Question 23871 on Unitary Councils, whether she plans to (a) instruct the Local Government Boundary Commission for England to undertake a structural review of local authorities and (b) seek the advice of that Commission on an ad-hoc basis.

As set out in my answer to Question UIN 23871, the department is liaising closely with the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) so that they are involved at the appropriate time to ensure fair electoral arrangements across the area of any new unitary local authorities.The Secretary of State will seek the advice of the LGBCE as appropriate and as set out in statue in relation to local government reorganisation.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 5.15 of the Explanatory Memorandum to the Local Authorities (Changes of Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) Order 2025, published on 10 February 2025, whether new unitary authority elections will take place in May 2026 at the same time as the combined authority mayoral elections.

The date of elections to new unitary authorities will depend on the nature of proposals and progress on development of those proposals.The position remains that elections to authorities specified in the Local Authorities (Changes of Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) Order 2025 will take place on the date to which they have been postponed, in May 2026.Any local authority dissolved as a result of local government restructuring will cease to exist on the date specified in the legislation providing for that restructuring; that date will depend on the nature of proposals and progress on development of those proposals.The arrangements for by-elections to councils whose elections have been postponed in May 2025 are as set out in the Explanatory Memorandum to the Local Authorities (Changes of Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) Order 2025:“Vacancies arising in the six-month period prior to the May 2025 elections would ordinarily have been filled at the May 2025 elections rather than by by-elections. The requirement for by-elections to fill such vacancies is reinstated by the postponement and this ensures there are no long-term vacancies on a council. For clarity, the instrument specifies that such by-elections must take place in the period between the coming into force of the instrument on 4 March 2025 and 1 May 2025.”That Explanatory Memorandum can be found here.Vacancies arising after 1 May 2025 will be filled at by-elections in the usual way, with any vacancies arising in the six month period before the May 2026 elections being filled at those elections.

Communities and Local Government, on what date councils with cancelled elections in May 2025 will cease to exist as legal entities.

The date of elections to new unitary authorities will depend on the nature of proposals and progress on development of those proposals.The position remains that elections to authorities specified in the Local Authorities (Changes of Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) Order 2025 will take place on the date to which they have been postponed, in May 2026.Any local authority dissolved as a result of local government restructuring will cease to exist on the date specified in the legislation providing for that restructuring; that date will depend on the nature of proposals and progress on development of those proposals.The arrangements for by-elections to councils whose elections have been postponed in May 2025 are as set out in the Explanatory Memorandum to the Local Authorities (Changes of Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) Order 2025:“Vacancies arising in the six-month period prior to the May 2025 elections would ordinarily have been filled at the May 2025 elections rather than by by-elections. The requirement for by-elections to fill such vacancies is reinstated by the postponement and this ensures there are no long-term vacancies on a council. For clarity, the instrument specifies that such by-elections must take place in the period between the coming into force of the instrument on 4 March 2025 and 1 May 2025.”That Explanatory Memorandum can be found here.Vacancies arising after 1 May 2025 will be filled at by-elections in the usual way, with any vacancies arising in the six month period before the May 2026 elections being filled at those elections.

With reference to the Valuation Office Agency: Freedom of Information disclosure log, last updated on 26 October 2023, for what reason no information is available on this webpage.

The VOA’s Freedom of Information (FOI) releases log is due to be updated shortly with FOI releases that are of wider public interest. This follows a review (in line with section 19 of the FOI Act and ICO guidance) of the information previously published, and the removal, or movement, of information that was out of date, or best suited to be published alongside ad hoc or official statistics releases. The last FOI release was published on GOV.UK on 11 July 2024.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's correspondence entitled Local government reorganisation: invitation to local authorities in two-tier areas, published on 6 February 2025, if she will launch a full public consultation.

The formal invitations to submit unitary proposals were sent to the leaders of all the councils in two tier areas and their neighbouring small unitaries. These letters have been published on gov.uk. The letters set out the criteria for the development of unitary proposals, as well as the process that will be followed. The letter asks areas to provide an interim plan to Government on or before 21 March 2025, and provides guidance as to what areas should include in their interim plans. The letters set out expectations that areas jointly develop and submit a single proposal however there will be some cases when it is not possible for all councils in an area to jointly develop and submit a proposal and Government will consider any suitable proposals submitted by the relevant local authorities. It is for councils to respond to the invitation letters, having developed robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of their whole area. They should engage their Members of Parliament, and ensure there is wide engagement with local partners and stakeholders, residents, workforce and their representatives, and businesses in working up their proposals. The letter sets out that once a proposal has been submitted, it will be for the Secretary of State to decide on taking a proposal forward and will consult on proposals, as required by statute.

What information her Department holds on when the Valuation Office Agency plans to publish the draft Rateable Values for all hereditaments in England as part of the 2026 business rates revaluation.

In line with Section 41 of The Local Government Finance Act 1988, the VOA will publish the 2026 rating lists in draft on Gov.uk by 31 December 2025.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement of 18 December 2024 on Local Government Finance Settlement, HCWS342, for what reason her Department plans to change the default option for council tax to paying over 12 months.

The government has announced it will consult on moving to default 12-month billing to support taxpayers to manage their household finances and further spread the cost of their bills. No decisions on the policy have yet been taken.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to her oral statement of 5 February 2025 on English Devolution and Local Government, Official Report, Column 766, whether she plans to follow article four of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in the context of her proposals to transfer powers from local authorities to strategic authorities.

In December 2024, the government published its English Devolution White Paper, which set an ambitious new framework for English devolution, moving power out of Westminster and into the hands of those who know their area best. This devolution programme will continue to fully comply with all our obligations under the Charter. We want to see all of England access devolution by establishing Strategic Authorities – organisations made up of a number of councils working together over areas that people recognise and work in - that can make the key decisions to drive economic growth. Ultimately, our goal is mayoral devolution. This government believes that the benefits of devolution are best achieved where there is a mayor in place, to provide strong local leadership and accountability. We want to achieve this goal in partnership with local areas wherever possible.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Oral Statement of 5 February 2025 on English Devolution and Local Government, Official Report, Column 766, what steps she is taking to monitor the potential savings to the public purse following her planned local government reorganisation.

It will be for the new councils to achieve the efficiencies identified in reorganisation proposals and subsequent detailed implementation and transformation plans while delivering high quality and sustainable public services to local residents and businesses. This has been the case in recent local government reorganisation processes.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the abolition of the £110,000 relief cap on (a) the level of retail, hospitality and leisure rate relief under the new 2026-27 multiplier system and (b) (i) SME and (ii) chain firms.

As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, including those on the high street, from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure that they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. The Government intends to fund this by introducing a higher multiplier on all properties with a rateable value (RV) of £500,000 and above. The Government will confirm the rates for the new multipliers at Budget 2025, taking account of the outcomes of the 2026 revaluation as well as the broader economic and fiscal context. Tax policy and legislation is not subject to the Better Regulation Framework Guidance which requires an Impact Assessment to accompany policy decisions. Nevertheless, when the new multipliers are set at Budget 2025 – to take effect in the 2026-27 billing year – HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has commissioned research into local government restructuring in the last two years.

My department has not commissioned research into local government restructuring in the last two years, of which over a year of that period was covered by the previous government.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's correspondence entitled Local government reorganisation: invitation to local authorities in two-tier areas, published on 6 February 2025, whether there are requirements for district and county councils in a two-tier area to agree on a single proposal before submitting it to her Department.

The formal invitations to submit unitary proposals were sent to the leaders of all the councils in two tier areas and their neighbouring small unitaries. These letters have been published on gov.uk. The letters set out the criteria for the development of unitary proposals, as well as the process that will be followed. The letter asks areas to provide an interim plan to Government on or before 21 March 2025, and provides guidance as to what areas should include in their interim plans. The letters set out expectations that areas jointly develop and submit a single proposal however there will be some cases when it is not possible for all councils in an area to jointly develop and submit a proposal and Government will consider any suitable proposals submitted by the relevant local authorities. It is for councils to respond to the invitation letters, having developed robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of their whole area. They should engage their Members of Parliament, and ensure there is wide engagement with local partners and stakeholders, residents, workforce and their representatives, and businesses in working up their proposals. The letter sets out that once a proposal has been submitted, it will be for the Secretary of State to decide on taking a proposal forward and will consult on proposals, as required by statute.

Communities and Local Government, if she will publish the (a) substantive petition text and (b) Government response to each campaign referred to in paragraph 7.4 of the Explanatory Memorandum to the Local Authorities (Changes of Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) Order 2025.

My Department has no plans to publish the correspondence or substantive text of the petitions mentioned in paragraph 7.4 of the Explanatory Memorandum to the Local Authorities (Changes of Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) Order 2025, or to publish the Government’s responses. The period a new unitary council exists in shadow form before assuming all council functions will depend on the nature of proposals for local government reorganisation and progress on development of those proposals. The typical period for the recent local government reorganisations has been around one year.

Communities and Local Government, if she will publish the correspondence referred to in paragraph 7.4 of the Explanatory Memorandum to the Local Authorities (Changes of Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) Order 2025.

My Department has no plans to publish the correspondence or substantive text of the petitions mentioned in paragraph 7.4 of the Explanatory Memorandum to the Local Authorities (Changes of Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) Order 2025, or to publish the Government’s responses. The period a new unitary council exists in shadow form before assuming all council functions will depend on the nature of proposals for local government reorganisation and progress on development of those proposals. The typical period for the recent local government reorganisations has been around one year.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2025 to Question 24513 on Business Rates: Tax Allowance, what the net value is of the package when adjusted for changes to the (a) retail, hospitality and leisure business rate relief and (b) standard multiplier in the 2025-26 financial year.

Autumn Budget 2024 announced the extension of Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) relief for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business, and the freezing of the small business multiplier for 2025-26. This is a package worth over £1.6 billion in 2025-26. For both business rates measures, the breakdown of costings over the scorecard period can be found on page 120 (lines 47-48) in ‘Chapter 5: Policy decisions’ of Autumn Budget 2024: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/672b9695fbd69e1861921c63/Autumn_Budget_2024_Accessible.pdf