Asked by: Pauline Latham (Conservative - Mid Derbyshire)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will take steps to promote collaboration between local planning authorities on planning applications that have implications for (a) school places and (b) other public services in neighbouring local authorities.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
The provision of the right infrastructure at the right time is very important to new and existing communities. It allows infrastructure like schools, GP surgeries and new roads to be provided in a more effective, transparent and efficient manner. While I agree that there should be collaboration between local authorities and key infrastructure providers to ensure these matters are properly planned for, we believe this is best done as part of the plan-making process.
To this end, we will be introducing an Infrastructure Levy to replace the complex and discretionary Section 106 regime. The levy will be a mandatory, non-negotiable charge, set and collected locally. It will give a greater say to local councils on what their infrastructure priorities are and give greater transparency to local people about how funds will be spent and what infrastructure will be delivered.
To strengthen infrastructure delivery further, we will be introducing a requirement for local authorities to prepare infrastructure delivery strategies. These will set out a strategy for delivering local infrastructure, including education and other types of community facilities, and spending Infrastructure Levy proceeds. We are also introducing a new requirement for infrastructure providers and other bodies to provide assistance to local authorities in drafting their local plans. This will ensure local authorities get the information they need in a timely manner so that they can identify how infrastructure and new housing development should be sited and provided
I agree that it is vital for local planning authorities to work together to make sure that cross-boundary issues are properly addressed, and we expect them to plan for and deliver the housing and infrastructure our communities need.
Asked by: Pauline Latham (Conservative - Mid Derbyshire)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what his Department's policy is on the extent to which local planning authorities should take into account local objections when considering applications to build on green belt land, in the context of site SGA26 in Mid Derbyshire.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
I regret that, due to the Secretary of State’s quasi-judicial role in the planning system, I am unable to comment on the details of a specific Local Plan, including proposed sites.
Asked by: Pauline Latham (Conservative - Mid Derbyshire)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what plans he has to make funding available to local authorities to arrange civic celebrations for the Diamond Jubilee in 2022.
Answered by Eddie Hughes
The Government has written to local authorities in the United Kingdom, highlighting the many opportunities for their communities to get involved in Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) set out a cross-Whitehall vision through the High Streets Strategy which includes the Government’s commitment to support celebrations and the involvement of local communities.
In addition, those local authorities who have signed up to take part in the Government’s Welcome Back Fund may choose to use their allocation to undertake preparations for the Platinum Jubilee, before the fund ends on 31 March 2022.
Asked by: Pauline Latham (Conservative - Mid Derbyshire)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is taking to ensure that all local authorities are able to return to full, in-person meetings on local authority premises after the end of covid-19 social distancing restrictions in July 2021 thereby avoiding the need to hire large venues to accommodate social distancing.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Leader of HM Official Opposition
The Government recognises that councils have delivered above and beyond throughout the pandemic. To support the reopening of local authority buildings and the return to face-to-face meetings, we advise use of the 'Working Safely During Coronavirus' guidance available on gov.uk which provides advice on precautions to manage risk.
Meetings where councils deem in-person attendance is not required can continue virtually. This would include non-statutory or other informal meetings.
Asked by: Pauline Latham (Conservative - Mid Derbyshire)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will meet representatives of (a) the Scout Association and (b) other uniformed youth groups to discuss how his Department can support such organisations in taking forward the recommendations of the December 2016 Casey review into opportunity and integration.
Answered by Heather Wheeler
My officials met representatives from the Scout Association, Girlguiding and the Youth United Foundation, which brings together 11 leading uniformed youth groups, on 10 January 2018, to discuss social mixing and building integrated communities.
Officials look forward to continuing discussions with the Youth United network on the Integrated Communities Strategy Green Paper, which I will publish in due course.