Asked by: Lord Lucas (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what data they hold to support the conclusion in the impact assessment of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill that the proposed environmental measures will have a positive economic and social impact.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Nature Restoration Fund proposed in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill would take a strategic approach to assessing environmental impacts and supporting nature recovery. This will reduce the need for costly project-level assessments while ensuring that every pound spent helps deliver our environmental goals as effectively as possible.
Through the Fund, developers will be able to discharge their environmental obligations at an earlier stage and through a simpler process, which will help to facilitate the earlier delivery of housing and other socially valuable development.
The impact assessment for the Bill contains the relevant data and sources that were used to support the conclusions in respect of the economic and social impact of the Nature Restoration Fund.
Asked by: Lord Lucas (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Minister of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on 15 October (HC7508), whether (1) the transgender pride flag, and (2) the bisexual pride flag, benefit from deemed consent under Class 7 of Schedule 3 to The Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisement) (England) Regulations 2007; and whether this is reflected in any guidance issued.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Flag advertisements which benefit from deemed consent are set out in Class 7 of Schedule 3 to The Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisement) (England) Regulations 2007. Guidance is set out in Flying flags: A plain English guide.
Asked by: Lord Lucas (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will provide funding for the 20 additional towns added to the Long Term Plan for Towns at the Spring Budget.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
As set out at Autumn Budget, the Long-Term Plan for Towns will be retained and reformed, as part of a new regeneration programme.
The 75 places across the UK that were previously selected to receive funding under the Long-Term Plan for Towns will receive up to £20 million of funding and support over the next decade.
Asked by: Lord Lucas (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure that the (1) capacity, and (2) capability, of Local Enterprise Partnerships are not undermined before a view has been formed on their future role; and what plans they have to ensure that their accumulated (a) expertise, and (b) relationships, contribute to the levelling up agenda.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
The Government is hugely grateful for the work of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) over the last ten years to support their local economies and is determined to ensure businesses continue to have clear representation and support as we drive the post-COVID-19 recovery.
The Government is also grateful to LEPs for their patience on the matter of core funding. Since initiating the review into their role, LEPs have been provided with six months of core funding for the first half of 2021-22. A decision will be made shortly on releasing the second tranche of core funding for 2021/22.
The Government has been engaging extensively with LEPs and local partners, including business organisations, HE/FE representatives, and senior officials from local authorities across England and MCA Chief Executives.
The future role of LEPs is being considered within the context of the Government’s landmark Levelling Up White Paper, alongside the commitment to extending devolution and strong local leadership in County areas.
The outcome of the review will be set out shortly.