Business of the House

Debate between Ashley Fox and Alan Campbell

Thursday 15th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend raises an important question, and I thank her for her work in advocating on this important matter. We are implementing the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 to strengthen protections over charges and services, and we will publish the draft leasehold and commonhold reform Bill as soon as possible. These concerns are shared by many colleagues from across the House, so I am sure that she would find support if she sought an Adjournment debate on the subject, or even a Backbench Business debate. When we bring forward further measures, she will have time to amplify the concerns that she has raised.

[Sir Ashley Fox (Bridgwater) (Con)]

May I agree with the point raised by the hon. Member for Cities of London and Westminster (Rachel Blake)? In the village of Cossington, there is a small housing estate that had the misfortune to be managed by FirstPort. My residents had to put up with unexplained charges, poor service and a complete lack of transparency. While my residents have wisely changed to a new management company, the incompetence of FirstPort continues to afflict them. Despite repeated requests, including from my office, FirstPort has failed to provide the financial information required to allow my residents to complete their statutory accounts. May I ask the Leader of the House for an urgent statement on how the Government will enable residents to hold failing management companies to account?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I hope that FirstPort hears what the hon. Gentleman has said, but my understanding, which I hope is correct, is that Ministers have brought in FirstPort to discuss these matters and get its game in order. If he wishes to seek a meeting with a Minister, I will try to facilitate that.

Business of the House

Debate between Ashley Fox and Alan Campbell

Thursday 13th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Ashley Fox (Bridgwater) (Con)]

The decision by Liberal Democrats on Somerset council to cancel the Cross Rifles roundabout upgrade in Bridgwater has left residents facing severe congestion. Combined with a new one-way system on Salmon Parade and East Quay, it has left Bridgwater gridlocked, and my constituents now face longer and more costly journeys. One resident, Sadie, told me that because of the one-way system, her weekly taxi fare to the supermarket has risen from £7 to £20. May we have a debate on how we can hold councils to account when they cancel Government-funded infrastructure projects without offering an alternative for local people?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Local infrastructure is so important, particularly to rural communities. I will draw this case to the attention of the Department for Transport, but in the business I have announced, and in proceedings on the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, there might be an opportunity for the hon. Gentleman to raise the issue of how local authorities can be held to account for the decisions they make.

Business of the House

Debate between Ashley Fox and Alan Campbell

Thursday 16th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend is a great advocate for that fine historic city, but also for the cause she speaks of today. She is often a voice of calm in these matters, and I thank her for that and for raising the matter today. I know that there are concerns across the House, so perhaps she could look to secure an Adjournment debate or a Backbench Business debate to see if there are shared views and experiences across the House.

[Sir Ashley Fox (Bridgwater) (Con)]

In Woolavington village in my constituency, three separate planning applications, totalling over 400 homes, have been submitted, with the prospect of a fourth, even larger proposal to follow. The cumulative impact of those developments on local services will not be fully assessed, because each application is treated separately. To make matters worse, Somerset council’s temporary emergency planning measures have led to the cancellation of many planning committees, leaving local councillors cut out of decision-making processes. May I therefore ask the Leader of the House for a debate on how cumulative housing impacts are assessed and how we ensure that local democratic oversight is not undermined?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Notwithstanding the comments I made to the right hon. Member for Aldridge-Brownhills (Wendy Morton) about the importance of housing, I understand from a constituency perspective, but also from the experience of colleagues across the House, that there is concern, particularly in rural areas that are seeing their communities transformed—albeit in a necessary way, in many cases. I think the hon. Gentleman would be able to make an excellent case for a Backbench Business debate, so that he can expand on the views he has expressed today.