Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

On 29 May, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced the Fens and Lincolnshire Reservoirs would be given ‘nationally significant’ status and set out the government’s intention to legislate so that similar projects would automatically be ‘Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects’ and considered under the Planning Act 2008.

The National Policy Statement for Water Resources Infrastructure, which includes policy on reservoirs, was designated in September 2023.

The Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs intends to undertake a targeted update to the NPS to streamline water resources infrastructure projects.

Policies set out in the National Planning Policy Framework must be taken into account in preparing local development plans and are a material consideration in planning decisions.

Local planning authorities are responsible for implementing these policies, so my Department does not hold detailed information on how they have been considered in respect of specific decisions made at a local level.

Policies set out in the National Planning Policy Framework must be taken into account in preparing local development plans and are a material consideration in planning decisions.

Local planning authorities are responsible for implementing these policies, so my Department does not hold detailed information on how they have been considered in respect of specific decisions made at a local level.

Policies set out in the National Planning Policy Framework must be taken into account in preparing local development plans and are a material consideration in planning decisions.

Local planning authorities are responsible for implementing these policies, so my Department does not hold detailed information on how they have been considered in respect of specific decisions made at a local level.

Planning conditions attached to the grant of planning permission can be used to require development to meet certain standards.

However, as the National Planning Policy Framework states, such conditions should only be imposed where they are necessary, relevant to planning and to the development to be permitted, enforceable, precise and reasonable in all other respects. They should also not duplicate the role of other regulatory regimes.

The government wants to see more empty homes brought back into use across the country, including in Devon.

Local authorities have strong powers and incentives to tackle empty homes. They have the discretionary powers to charge additional council tax on properties which have been left unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for one or more years. The maximum premium that a council can apply increases, depending on the length of time that the property has been empty for, with a premium of up to 300% on homes left empty for over ten years.

Local authorities can also use powers to take over the management of long-term empty homes to bring them back into use in the private rented sector. Local authorities can apply for an Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO) when a property has been empty for more than two years, subject to the production of evidence that the property has been causing a nuisance to the community and evidence of community support for their proposal. More information can be found on gov.uk here.

On 9^th June, the government published the Plan for Neighbourhoods Regeneration Plan Guidance which re-iterates our commitment for a light touch assessment process. The Plan for Neighbourhoods represents a break from the competitive bidding process and micromanaging of previous regeneration funds. Instead, this is a model whereby Neighbourhood Boards are provided with a list of pre-approved interventions and given the autonomy such that, if that activity can be evidenced as a clear priority of the community, it can be pursued without the need to provide a lengthy business case. The activities listed range from eye-catching new developments to the bread-and-butter issues raised by people on the doorstep.

The Plan for Neighbourhoods will transform “left behind” areas to deliver meaningful change in the day-to-day lives of local people.

The government will publish the Future Homes Standard (FHS) this autumn to ensure new homes are zero carbon ready, meaning they will require no future retrofit work as the electricity grid fully decarbonises.

The FHS will apply to all new homes and will ensure they have low carbon heating and high levels of energy efficiency. We will set out appropriate transitional arrangements for the FHS in due course to ensure a smooth adoption of the new standards.

To ensure the quality and safety of installations, including the requirements around structural safety, fire safety and electrical safety, works must be approved by building control or carried out by someone registered as part of the competent persons scheme.

The government is taking steps to strengthen both.

I refer the Hon. member to the answer given to Question UIN 54882 on 9 June 2025. Statutory guidance on overview and scrutiny was updated in April 2024. We are also working to strengthen standards, governance, financial management, and local audit to fix the foundations of local government to ensure that it is fit, legal and decent.

Section 144 of the Building Safety Act (2022) created a power to mandate a requirement for all new build homes to be sold with a new build warranty. No decision has been made by the government on commencement of this power.

In the meantime, most new build warranties cover damages caused by structural defects for a 10-year term, while the developer is often held accountable for the first two years of this period.

In October 2024 the previous government published its response the Competition and Market's Authority's housebuilding study. This included a commitment to bring forward a new consumer code for housebuilders and a New Homes Ombudsman service which will empower homeowners to rightly challenge developers for any quality issues they face in their home which the current government is also committed to.

UKSPF was committed for a further transition year in 2025-26. From 2026-27, the government is providing targeted, long-term local growth funding to support growth across the UK, completing the transition from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

This includes establishing a new local growth fund, including a 10-year capital settlement from 2026-27 to 2035-36 for specific mayoral city regions in the North and Midlands with the highest productivity catch-up and agglomeration potential.

Further detail on the fund and how it will operate will be set out in due course.

The government is committed to improving access to parks and green spaces for all, recognising their role in fostering stronger communities. Community groups are a key component in helping people to connect with their local parks through community engagement and volunteering.

The government’s Green Flag Awards scheme sets quality standards for green spaces, focusing on community engagement, increased access, and addressing health and environmental priorities. There is a Green Flag award specifically for community groups that aims to celebrate groups that appropriately manage and meet the needs of the communities that they serve. Impressively, Fylde borough received a green flag award for six parks last year including Lytham War memorial park and the Promenade Gardens.

Furthermore, the government’s Parks Working Group collaborates with key stakeholders to enhance park quality and sustainability, including representatives of the UK’s 6,000-plus friends groups.

The government is working to improve access to blue spaces, including through the King Charles III England Coast Path, which will significantly enhance coastal access in Fylde. Proposals for the Cleveleys to Pier Head stretch — which includes a section passing through Fylde — have been approved, and work to establish the route is currently underway.

In the English Devolution White Paper, the Government made a commitment to consider the governance models available to local authorities across the sector.

As part of wider reforms to the local government landscape, the department continues to review available governance models to ensure decision making is best supported at all levels of local government.

In the English Devolution White Paper, the Government made a commitment to consider the governance models available to local authorities across the sector.

As part of wider reforms to the local government landscape, the department continues to review available governance models to ensure decision making is best supported at all levels of local government.

The government recognises the significant pressures that councils are facing.

This Spending Review provides over £5 billion of new grant funding over the next three years for local services that communities rely on. This includes £3.4 billion of new grant funding to be delivered through the Local Government Finance Settlement within financial years 2026-27 to 2028-29.

The £3.4 billion, when taken together with a 3% core council tax referendum principle and a 2% adult social care precept, results in an average overall real terms increase in local authority core spending power of 2.6% per year over the next multi-year settlement (2026-27 to 2028-29).

The Department works closely with local government and other government departments to understand specific demand and cost pressures facing local government on an ongoing basis. This involves looking at a range of cost and demand data, alongside regular engagement with local authorities.

This spend related to the Local Partnerships’ programme management of the Contract Management Pioneer Programme (CMPP). The CMPP was a capability-building initiative designed to strengthen contract management across local government. It aimed to equip councils with the skills, tools, and confidence needed to manage complex contracts more effectively, improve service outcomes, and deliver better value for money.

The Future Homes Standard, which will be set through the Building Regulations in autumn this year, will apply to new-build homes only. As solar PV will play a fundamental role in the new standards, we would expect roofs to be designed to accommodate solar panels from the outset, rather than requiring an assessment of roof condition post-construction. The Future Homes Standard will not apply to existing homes, which is where such assessments of roof condition might be necessary.

The government has now announced funding for up to 350 deprived communities, including the 75 places named in the Plan for Neighbourhoods in March 2025. 25 trailblazer neighbourhoods will receive up to £20 million over the next decade as part of a new fund announced at the Spending Review. Detailed guidance will be provided in due course; however, the programme will adopt a flexible approach offering areas a broad range of options to address the unique challenges in their local area. This could include funding for community assets such as youth clubs, libraries, and cultural venues.

Areas will receive investment over the next decade, with funding starting from April 2026. Further information will be published in due course.

We do not hold constituency level data, but Fylde Borough Council received a UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) allocation between 2022-25. For 2025-26, in line with new devolution deals, funding will be allocated to Lancashire Combined Authority for the area.

In Fylde Council, thirteen projects were supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) between 2022-25 and three new projects are forecasted to receive funding in 2025-26.

Across Lancashire Combined Authority, 380 projects were supported by UKSPF between 2022-25 and 57 new projects are forecasted to receive funding in 2025-26.

We do not hold constituency level data, but Fylde Borough Council received a UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) allocation between 2022-25. For 2025-26, in line with new devolution deals, funding will be allocated to Lancashire Combined Authority for the area.

In Fylde Council, thirteen projects were supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) between 2022-25 and three new projects are forecasted to receive funding in 2025-26.

Across Lancashire Combined Authority, 380 projects were supported by UKSPF between 2022-25 and 57 new projects are forecasted to receive funding in 2025-26.

The government has published guidance on the implementation of council tax premiums and exceptions to those premiums. This is available gov.uk here. The government does not have any plans to change the exceptions to the council tax premiums.

There are no Community Ownership Fund (COF) projects in the Fylde constituency. The Department awarded over £900k to three COF projects in the Lancashire County Council area. These projects are Whitworth Leisure Centre, Elmfield Hall and Mercer Hall.

In each region, the Department awarded:

• £9.2m to 29 projects in the East Midlands.
• £5.6m to 22 projects in the East of England.
• £6.7m to 13 projects in London.
• £4.3m to 19 projects in the North East.
• £12.8m to 33 projects in the North West.
• £11m to 38 projects in Northern Ireland.
• around £21.2m to 55 projects in Scotland.
• £15.8m to 41 projects in the South East.
• £16.8m to 53 projects in the South West.
• around £9m to 31 projects in Wales.
• around £8.8m to 30 projects in the West Midlands.
• around £12.5m to 39 projects in Yorkshire and the Humber.

A full breakdown of funding is available on the COF successful bidders page on GOV.UK.

My 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 authority.

The LGBCE is responsible for electoral reviews for local government, reviewing wards, and setting the council size in terms of number of councillors. When a full electoral review of a newly established authority is carried out, the LGBCE will follow its guidance (which is available on its website). The LGBCE have recently published FAQ on their website to support councils going through Local Government Reorganisation and have set out as part of this that they expect to carry out an electoral review of all newly established local authorities after their first elections and before their subsequent elections.

The Department has convened a Local Government Reorganisation Advisory Group. It is made up of a number of senior sector representatives to provide expert advice relating to the Local Government Reorganisation Programme. It has an advisory role. We will publish further details on the group’s membership and terms of reference shortly.

This Government is committed to strengthening the UK’s democracy and upholding the integrity of elections. It has already taken steps in this area including the work undertaken to review and reform the voter identification policy, successfully passing legislation which allows use of the HM Armed Forces Veteran Card as identification at polling stations.

The Government will be setting out its approach to elections and electoral reform for this Parliament in an overall Government Strategy for Elections, to be published later this year, where it will set out plans for further strengthening the integrity of elections and encouraging participation in democracy.

The government is committed to transforming social care and making tangible improvements in the short term. The Spending Review allows for an increase of over £4 billion available for adult social care in 2028–29 compared to 2025–26.

This includes additional grant funding, growth in other sources of income available to support adult social care, and an increase to the NHS’s contribution to adult social care via the Better Care Fund, in line with DHSC’s Spending Review settlement.

We will set out further details at the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement later this year. The provisional Settlement will be subject to consultation, as in previous years

Local authorities are independent employers and MHCLG does not make an assessment of the value for money of providing trade union facility time in local government. As public sector organisations, councils are required to publish data relating to the use of facility time in their organisation.

The Government is reviewing the formula for allocating Government Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) funding to local authorities in England to ensure the funding is better aligned with local needs. It is important that we take the time to consider the issues properly and have committed to consult on a new approach this year. Following the consultation, we will carefully consider responses from local authorities and MPs before finalising the new approach, with a view to implementation as soon as possible thereafter.

The Government is reviewing the formula for allocating Government Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) funding to local authorities in England to ensure the funding is better aligned with local needs. It is important that we take the time to consider the issues properly and have committed to consult on a new approach this year. Following the consultation, we will carefully consider responses from local authorities and MPs before finalising the new approach, with a view to implementation as soon as possible thereafter.

The Government is reviewing the formula for allocating Government Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) funding to local authorities in England to ensure the funding is better aligned with local needs. It is important that we take the time to consider the issues properly and have committed to consult on a new approach this year. Following the consultation, we will carefully consider responses from local authorities and MPs before finalising the new approach, with a view to implementation as soon as possible thereafter.

The Government is reviewing the formula for allocating Government Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) funding to local authorities in England to ensure the funding is better aligned with local needs. It is important that we take the time to consider the issues properly and have committed to consult on a new approach this year. Following the consultation, we will carefully consider responses from local authorities and MPs before finalising the new approach, with a view to implementation as soon as possible thereafter.

There are no specific legal powers invested in independent, external bodies to take action over breaches of procurement guidance.

On 11 June 2025, the government has announced communities funding for up to 350 places, including the 75 places named in the Plan for Neighbourhoods in March 2025. Within this, 25 trailblazer neighbourhoods will receive up to £20 million over the next decade. We will set out full place selection and methodology in due course.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is working closely with Natural England to ensure that resources are in place to administer the Nature Restoration Fund, which is designed to run on a cost recovery basis.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 17127 on 7 January 2025.

We are giving consideration to how we implement those LURA provisions which support our growth objectives and will provide updates in due course.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 10 March 2025 (HCWS510), the government plans to consult on the impact of removing statutory consultee status for planning applications from Sport England, The Theatres Trust, and The Gardens Trust.

The government is committed to supporting investment in high-quality, reliable digital connectivity so that communities can benefit from faster economic growth and greater social inclusion.

We continue to keep permitted development rights under review.

The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that when determining planning applications, local planning authorities should apply the principle that if significant harm to biodiversity resulting from a development cannot be avoided, adequately mitigated, or, as a last resort, compensated for, then planning permission should be refused.

Any mitigation or compensation would be set out in the planning conditions and obligations associated with the planning permission, enabling local planning authorities to monitor the development's implementation and, if necessary, take enforcement action.

A person who considers a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charge to have been incorrectly calculated can seek a formal review of the calculation by the levy charging authority. They may also seek an independent assessment of the calculation through an appeal to the Valuation Office Agency if deemed necessary following review by the authority.

There are also provisions in levy regulations enabling a person to seek an independent appeal via the Planning Inspectorate against any surcharges imposed by the levy charging authority.

Separately, a person can escalate any concerns with how their local authority has handled a particular matter, including CIL, through the authority’s official complaints process. Concerns can be subsequently further escalated, if considered necessary and appropriate, to the Local Authority Ombudsman.

The government is committed to strengthening the system of developer contributions, including CIL, and we will provide further details in due course.

A person who considers a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charge to have been incorrectly calculated can seek a formal review of the calculation by the levy charging authority. They may also seek an independent assessment of the calculation through an appeal to the Valuation Office Agency if deemed necessary following review by the authority.

There are also provisions in levy regulations enabling a person to seek an independent appeal via the Planning Inspectorate against any surcharges imposed by the levy charging authority.

Separately, a person can escalate any concerns with how their local authority has handled a particular matter, including CIL, through the authority’s official complaints process. Concerns can be subsequently further escalated, if considered necessary and appropriate, to the Local Authority Ombudsman.

The government is committed to strengthening the system of developer contributions, including CIL, and we will provide further details in due course.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 39471 on 26 March 2025.

There is no legal duty to publish equality impact assessments.

The impact assessments relating to revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework on 12 December 2024 can be found here.

The Secretary of State complied with her public sector equality duty (PSED) under s149 of the Equality Act 2010 in issuing the planning practice guidance updates.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 54059 on 6 June 2025.

The government will publish the Future Homes Standard (FHS) this autumn to ensure new homes are zero carbon ready, meaning they will require no future retrofit work as the electricity grid fully decarbonises.

The FHS will apply to all new homes and will ensure they have low carbon heating and high levels of energy efficiency. We will set out appropriate transitional arrangements for the FHS in due course to ensure a smooth adoption of the new standards.

Prior to the implementation of the FHS, we expect new homes to be built to the current 2021 standards. The current standards are set at a high level, ensuring new homes are warm, comfortable and that their energy bills are minimised.