Written questions by Dillon.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a householder exemption to the Community Infrastructure Levy.

Householders building residential extensions and residential annexes to their homes can obtain an exemption from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), subject to completing the procedural process for obtaining the exemption within required timescales. The CIL guidance, which can be found on gov.uk here, sets out all the criteria that must be met and procedures that must be followed to obtain an exemption. I otherwise refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 105228 on 21 January 2026.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has considered introducing an exemption from the Community Infrastructure Levy for householders.

Householders building residential extensions and residential annexes to their homes can obtain an exemption from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), subject to completing the procedural process for obtaining the exemption within required timescales. The CIL guidance, which can be found on gov.uk here, sets out all the criteria that must be met and procedures that must be followed to obtain an exemption. I otherwise refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 105228 on 21 January 2026.

Communities and Local Government, whether he made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a right for leaseholders to manage their own electricity supply arrangements.

The rights of leaseholders in respect of electricity supply arrangements are governed by the terms of their leases. The government is committed to implementing measures in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 to make enfranchisement cheaper and easier. The Act sets the method for calculating the price of a statutory lease extension or freehold acquisition, known as the valuation process. It removes the requirement for marriage value to be paid, caps the treatment of ground rents in the valuation calculation at 0.1% of the freehold value, and allows government to prescribe the rates used to calculate the enfranchisement premium. Valuation rates used to calculate the enfranchisement premium will be set by the Secretary of State in secondary legislation. We will consult on valuation rates and commence the relevant provisions as soon as possible. As per my Written Ministerial Statement of 21 November 2024 (HCWS244), primary legislation will be required to rectify a small number of specific flaws in the 2024 Act before the Act’s enfranchisement provisions are commenced. Once brought into force, these measures, together with the already implemented removal of the two-year qualifying rule for enfranchisement, will mean leaseholders will be able to buy their freehold at any time, at a fair price. This will allow them to manage the electricity supply in their building.

Communities and Local Government, how the proposed revised National Planning Policy Framework will protect and enhance playing fields, pitches and community sports facilities.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 107478 on 30 January 2026.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to increase investment in social housing.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statements made on 28 January 2026 (HCWS1283) and 2 July 2025 (HCWS771).

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of housing associations’ policies relating to the resale of retirement properties managed by retirement management companies on beneficiaries.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 95245 on 5 December 2025 and UIN 68820 on 2 September 2025.

Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to increase regulation of retirement management companies in relation to their policies governing the resale of managed retirement properties following the death of the occupier.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 95245 on 5 December 2025 and UIN 68820 on 2 September 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of removing Sport England as a statutory planning consultee on the future provision of playing fields, pitches and community sports facilities.

I refer the hon. Members to the answers given to Questions UIN 103087 on 13 January 2026, and UIN 112696 on 2 March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with the sport and recreation sector on proposals to remove Sport England as a statutory planning consultee.

I refer the hon. Members to the answers given to Questions UIN 103087 on 13 January 2026, and UIN 112696 on 2 March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, how many responses were received to the recent consultation on the reform of statutory consultees, specifically in relation to the proposal to remove Sport England as a statutory consultee.

I refer the hon. Members to the answers given to Questions UIN 103087 on 13 January 2026, and UIN 112696 on 2 March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to provide guidance to local authorities on working in partnership with Warm Welcome Spaces located in heritage faith buildings as part of local wellbeing and community support provision.

We recognise the value of religious heritage buildings in local communities and the important role they play in the UK’s national story. Listed places of worship are far more than bricks and mortar; they are at the hearts of our communities, serving as vital hubs for food banks, warm spaces, and social care. The new £92 million Places of Worship Renewal Fund will bring support for these important buildings into line with other heritage assets. Warm Welcome Spaces can support improving social connection and reducing loneliness. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have an active partnership with the Warm Welcome Campaign, aimed at strengthening community connection and supporting customer wellbeing. DWP has promoted Warm Welcome widely across the Jobcentre network so colleagues, including those in Local Authorities, are aware of the offer and can confidently guide customers to local Warm Welcome Spaces.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to issue guidance to local authorities on pursuing Community Infrastructure Levy charges where homeowners have become liable as a result of administrative errors.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 105228 on 21 January 2026.

Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to issue guidance to local authorities on exercising discretion and avoiding enforcement action that could cause (a) severe financial hardship and (b) the forced sale of a family home.

Councils are responsible for the collection of a broad range of debts. Councils are required to recover all debts in accordance with the law. The government will continue to keep this issue under review.

Communities and Local Government, whether best practice from local authorities on compassion and proportionality will be identified and adopted nationally.

Councils are responsible for the collection of a broad range of debts. Councils are required to recover all debts in accordance with the law. The government will continue to keep this issue under review.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on planning outcomes of the decision to remove statutory consultee status from certain bodies in the planning process.

On 18 November 2025, my Department published a consultation on reforms to the statutory consultee system. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, closed on 13 January 2026. The consultation asked for views on the impact of removing consultee status in the planning application process from the Gardens Trust, The Theatres Trust and Sport England. No final decisions will be taken on the role of these statutory consultees until all consultation feedback has been fully analysed and considered. A government response will be published in due course. Regardless of consultation outcomes, these statutory consultees will continue to engage through public consultation and targeted notifications in the planning process.

Communities and Local Government, what support the Government is providing to local planning authorities to ensure they have the expertise to manage parks and gardens casework in the absence of guaranteed specialist input.

On 18 November 2025, my Department published a consultation on reforms to the statutory consultee system. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, closed on 13 January 2026. The consultation asked for views on the impact of removing consultee status in the planning application process from the Gardens Trust, The Theatres Trust and Sport England. No final decisions will be taken on the role of these statutory consultees until all consultation feedback has been fully analysed and considered. A government response will be published in due course. Regardless of consultation outcomes, these statutory consultees will continue to engage through public consultation and targeted notifications in the planning process.

Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government has taken to reach a decision on the 10% commission charge payable to site owners on the sale of park homes.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 97962 on 15 December 2025.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 22 October 2025 to Question 80732 on Local Government management, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of his Department's proposals to require councils to adopt a cabinet model of governance on councils that do not currently have a cabinet model of governance.

The Government believes that the leader and cabinet governance model provides clearer and more easily understood decision-making structures, and would expect it to have a positive impact where it is adopted by a council. The Government remains keen to work closely with all councils required to adopt the leader and cabinet model to ensure a smooth and effective transition.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on access to social housing of pre-tenancy checks by housing associations on the ability of households experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 98397 on 17 December 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she will take to remove barriers to accessing social housing for those most in need.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 98397 on 17 December 2025.