Written questions by Hollinrake.

Communities and Local Government, how many homes for (a) social rent, (b) affordable rent and (c) low-cost ownership she expects to be built under the Affordable Homes Programme 2021 to 2026.

My department published an update on targets in respect of the 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme on 30 July 2024. It can be found on gov.uk here.In October 2024, the government announced £500 million in new in-year funding for the Affordable Homes Programme. As a result of significant demand from housing providers across the country, that additional funding is already oversubscribed.In February 2025, the government announced a further allocation of £300 million to the Affordable Homes Programme. This will support the near-term delivery of more social and affordable housing, delivering up to 2,800 new homes with more than half being Social Rent homes.At the multi-year Spending Review later this year, the government will set out details of new investment to succeed the 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme. This new investment will deliver a mix of homes for sub-market rent and homeownership, with a particular focus on delivering homes for Social Rent.

Communities and Local Government, what information her Department holds on the amount Birmingham City Council (a) raised in council tax in 2024-25 and (b) paid out in employer contributions to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

The government will publish data on the amount of council tax collected by billing authorities through the financial year in June, in the usual way. The Department collects limited information on employers’ retirement benefit costs for a sample of authorities in order to estimate the subjective analysis return statistics, published as part of the local authority revenue expenditure and financing England statistics. This sample includes Birmingham council and data for 2024-25 will be collected later in 2025.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the debate during the National Security Bill of 4 July 2024, Official Report, House of Lords, Column 1125, whether she has had discussions with the Electoral Commission on increasing data sharing from public authorities to political parties.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the Question UIN 23153 answered on 29 January 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that proposed larger local authorities do not impact economies of scale.

The government’s long-term vision is for simpler structures which put the right powers at the right scale. On the 5 February, I formally invited proposals for local government reorganisation from all the councils in two tier areas and their neighbouring unitary councils.The invitation letter sets out the criteria against which proposals will be assessed in coming to a decision on implementation. These include the criteria that new unitary structures must be the right size to achieve efficiencies, improve capacity and withstand financial shocks; reflect local identity considerations; and enable stronger community engagement and genuine opportunity for neighbourhood empowerment. As set out in the published criteria for proposals, proposals should be for sensible economic areas, with an appropriate tax base which does not create an undue advantage or disadvantage for one part of the area.It is for councils to develop robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of their whole area.

Communities and Local Government, whether Surrey will have (a) mayoral combined authority and (b) unitary council elections in (i) 2026 and (ii) 2027.

Surrey will not have a mayoral election in 2026 as it has not been included in the Devolution Priority Programme; decisions on subsequent devolution have not yet been taken. The date of any unitary council elections will depend on the nature of proposals for local government reorganisation and progress on development of those proposals.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2025 to Question 23146 on Local Plans, how many times local planning authorities will be required to update their local development plans during this Parliament.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 20841 on 7 January 2025 and the answer to UIN 23146 on 21 January 2025.Local planning authorities should review local development plans once every five years from their adoption date to ensure that policies remain relevant and that they address the needs of the local community.However, there will be occasions where there are significant changes in circumstances which may mean it is necessary to review the relevant strategic policies earlier.

Communities and Local Government, what the status is of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in UK (a) law and (b) governance.

The European Charter of Local Self-Government is an international legal instrument, and as such, the principles of local self-government which it enumerates are recognised in the domestic legislation that makes provision for the powers and procedures of local government. We will continue to fully comply with our obligations under the Charter.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to hold local referendums on proposed local government mergers.

There are no plans to make a policy to hold local referendums on proposed local government mergers. Proposals for unitary local government must meet local needs and be informed by local views. It is for councils to decide how best to engage locally in a meaningful and constructive way and this engagement activity should be evidenced in a proposal.Once a proposal has been submitted it will be for the Government to decide on taking a proposal forward and to consult as required by statute.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of (a) unitary structures and (b) fewer councillors on the workload of councillors.

Unitary councils can lead to better outcomes for residents, save significant money which can be reinvested in public services, and improve accountability with fewer politicians, but more empowered who are more able to focus on delivering for residents. My department will continue to work closely with councils, and with the Local Government Association (LGA), the District Councils Network, the County Councils Network and other local government partners to plan how best to support councils through this process.

Communities and Local Government, whether local authorities will be (a) encouraged and (b) required to update neighbourhood plans following changes to the National Planning Policy Framework.

There is no requirement to update a neighbourhood plan. However, we recognise some communities may wish to update their plans in response to changes to the National Planning Policy Framework.Groups continue to receive the financial and technical support they have been awarded for both the production and updating of neighbourhood plans.We will make announcements in due course regarding the new support contract for 2025-26 and beyond, but intend to open for new applications from Summer 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what the cost to the public purse is for the work of the New Towns Taskforce since it was established in September 2024.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Questions UIN 22561 on 27 January 2025.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has undertaken any post-implementation evaluation of previous local government reorganisations.

As set out in the English Devolution White Paper we will learn from the experience and successes of others who have been through the process. We welcome the partnership approach that is being taken across the sector to respond to the ambitious plans set out in the White Paper, including sharing expertise on delivering reorganisation effectively given each areas’ unique circumstances. For North Yorkshire Council, established in April 2023, unitarisation has enabled the council to manage financial pressures through structural changes and service transformation which are expected to achieve more than £40 million in savings by March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2025 to Question 21621 on Unitary Councils, whether there is a recommended (a) minimum and (b) maximum geographical area for the size of a unitary council.

In our unitary invitation we have set out guidance to support councils as they develop proposals that are in the best interests of their areas. This includes guidance on issues of size, sensible geographies, efficiencies and financial sustainability, public service delivery, community engagement and devolution. Proposals should be for a sensible geography which will help to increase housing supply and meet local needs. It is for councils to develop robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of their whole area.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme 2025 carbon price on the (a) housebuilding sector and (b) her Department's housebuilding targets.

The housebuilding sector is not covered by the UK Emissions Trading Scheme so the effects on the sector are not assessed.

Communities and Local Government, what her policy is on the regeneration of estates.

The government is committed to supporting estate regeneration schemes to transform neighbourhoods by delivering high-quality, well-designed places, more homes, and opportunities for residents.Tenants are key partners in estate regeneration, and their engagement is essential in any successful scheme.Since 2023, the Affordable Homes Programme funding has been available to deliver estate regeneration schemes where there is a positive impact on overall housing supply.In London, government is delivering additional funding through the £50 million London Estate Regeneration Fund, working in partnership with the Greater London Authority.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 7 February 2025 to Question 27566 on Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, if she will list each substantive policy measure in that Act that has not yet (a) commenced and (b) been implemented.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 27566 on 7 February 2025.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement of 12 February 2025 on Further support for social and affordable housebuilding and next steps on supported housing, HCWS447, what the estimated average grant subsidy per unit is for funding provided for local authority temporary accommodation.

The amount of grant provided under the third round of the Local Authority Housing Fund is calculated relative to local property prices. We provide a grant of 40% of the median house price in the local authority area, or 50% for larger homes.On the 12 February the government committed a further £50 million in new funding and around £30 million of reallocated funds taking the total funding available to £530 million. Based on the total expected commitment and outcomes, the average grant rate for each home delivered will be c. £196k.We do not provide different grant rates for tenures under the Local Authority Housing Fund, but we do require that all homes delivered under the fund are affordable.

Communities and Local Government, how her Department enforces breaches of flag flying regulations; and what guidance her Department has produced on enforcement of advertising regulations.

Responsibility for the enforcement of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007, which control the display of adverts including flags, rests with local planning authorities.It is for authorities to decide when and how they use their enforcement powers.The department publishes general guidance on the advertisement consent regime which can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2025 to Question 24230 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Public Appointments, whether her Department has had discussions with the office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments on the reasons for which the Departmental board was unable to meet.

The Commissioner for Public Appointments regulates public appointments and provides independent assurance in relation to these. We wrote to the Commissioner on 2 October 2024 to consult him on the appointment of an interim Lead Non-Executive Director to ensure non-executive representation at the departmental board. This is in line with central governance requirements for government departments. We report on the activities of the departmental board as part of our standard annual reporting processes, which include the Annual Report and Accounts.

Communities and Local Government, which Minister in her Department will be responsible for fire services.

As with all departmental business, the Secretary of State maintains overall responsibility for the work of the department, and I will support the Secretary of State on fire services.