Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her Department's policy is on increasing funding to Cornwall Council for (a) social care services (b) SEND services and (c) road maintenance.
Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Future local authority funding decisions will be a matter for the next Spending Review and, as is usual, we will consider the funding required for social care, SEND, and road maintenance within this process. We will consult with local authorities, including Cornwall, ahead of the next provisional Local Government Finance Settlement.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to reduce the number of unoccupied shops in town centres in North Cornwall constituency.
Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
This Government is fully committed to rejuvenating our high streets and supporting the businesses and communities that make our town centres successful.
Through the English Devolution Bill we will introduce a strong new ‘right to buy’ for valued community assets, which will help this Government safeguard our high streets. This measure will empower local communities to reclaim and revitalise empty shops, pubs, and community spaces, helping to revamp our high streets and eliminate the blight of vacant premises.
In addition, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund continues to fund £3 million worth of projects in North Cornwall, such as refurbishing buildings to make them fit for purpose.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to give the Cornish language protected status under the provisions of Articles 8-14 of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.
Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Government has received a request from Cornwall Council to extend the protection of the Cornish language from Part II to Part III of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages. The request is currently being considered and a formal response will be issued in due course.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of requiring planning permission for converting permanent accommodation into non-permanent accommodation.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
We recognise that whilst short-term lets and second homes can benefit the tourist economy, we need to protect local communities, including ensuring the availability of housing to rent or buy. We are currently considering how best to achieve these aims.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to introduce a new planning use class for (a) second homes and (b) short-term lets.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
We recognise that whilst short-term lets and second homes can benefit the tourist economy, we need to protect local communities, including ensuring the availability of housing to rent or buy. We are currently considering how best to achieve these aims.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to allow local authorities to increase Council Tax by up to 500% on second homes.
Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
From April 2025 councils will have the power to charge a premium of up to 100% on second homes.
Future local authority funding decisions will be a matter for the next Spending Review and Local Government Finance Settlement in which we are engaged.
Asked by: Ben Maguire (Liberal Democrat - North Cornwall)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when she plans to make a decision about the application to the Community Ownership Fund from Marhamchurch Parish Council in relation to the Hele Valley Trail (application reference COF-EOI-R1-ZBEYTK).
Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
We will confirm plans on the Community Ownership Fund in due course.