To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.

Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Written Question
Public Lavatories: Non-domestic Rates
Friday 24th January 2020

Asked by: Simon Hoare (Conservative - North Dorset)

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking on the proposal to exempt local authority owned public conveniences from business rates.

Answered by Luke Hall

The Government recognises that local authority owned public toilets are valuable community amenities. However, primary legislation would be required to provide business rates relief for public toilets owned by principal local authorities and parish councils, as such bodies cannot currently have their rates bills reduced through reliefs. The Non-Domestic Rating (Lavatories) Bill, which would have resolved this matter, fell when Parliament was dissolved. The Government will consider reintroducing the measure in due course.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 30 Sep 2019
Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 Section 6

"I will make three very quick points, if I may. First, I underscore the point made, not least by my hon. Friend the Member for Lewes (Maria Caulfield), that this issue is much better dealt with by legislation, not by regulation. It is absolutely crucial that there is proper debate …..."
Simon Hoare - View Speech

View all Simon Hoare (Con - North Dorset) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 Section 6
Speech in General Committees - Wed 13 Feb 2019
Draft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Supplementary Provisions and Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2019

"I thank my hon. Friend and his team for the work they have done in support of Dorset’s local government reorganisation. The point made by my hon. Friend the Member for Lichfield is apposite. When proposals for change are first mooted, people often say, “This will throw the baby out …..."
Simon Hoare - View Speech

View all Simon Hoare (Con - North Dorset) contributions to the debate on: Draft Local Government (Structural and Boundary Changes) (Supplementary Provisions and Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2019
Speech in General Committees - Mon 04 Feb 2019
Draft Buckinghamshire (Structural Changes) (modification of the local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007) Regulations 2019

"It might come as a disappointment to my hon. Friend the Minister and the shadow Minister that I do not intend to reprise my mammoth, 55-minute address in support of the reorganisation of Dorset councils. I just want to make a couple of remarks.

I know the Buckinghamshire area reasonably …..."
Simon Hoare - View Speech

View all Simon Hoare (Con - North Dorset) contributions to the debate on: Draft Buckinghamshire (Structural Changes) (modification of the local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007) Regulations 2019
Speech in General Committees - Mon 04 Feb 2019
Draft Buckinghamshire (Structural Changes) (modification of the local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007) Regulations 2019

"I agree with my right hon. Friend on the latter point. On the idea that the powers were to be used “sparingly”, I would say define “sparingly”. My definition would be “not very often”. I am not aware that the Department and the Government have used that power very often. …..."
Simon Hoare - View Speech

View all Simon Hoare (Con - North Dorset) contributions to the debate on: Draft Buckinghamshire (Structural Changes) (modification of the local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007) Regulations 2019
Speech in General Committees - Mon 04 Feb 2019
Draft Buckinghamshire (Structural Changes) (modification of the local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007) Regulations 2019

"She smiles so beguilingly. Go on...."
Simon Hoare - View Speech

View all Simon Hoare (Con - North Dorset) contributions to the debate on: Draft Buckinghamshire (Structural Changes) (modification of the local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007) Regulations 2019
Speech in General Committees - Mon 04 Feb 2019
Draft Buckinghamshire (Structural Changes) (modification of the local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007) Regulations 2019

"I think that is probably a question for the Minister, but in anything that my right hon. Friend read out from earlier correspondence either here or in the other place in reference to the sparing use, I did not hear her say, “but never Buckinghamshire”...."
Simon Hoare - View Speech

View all Simon Hoare (Con - North Dorset) contributions to the debate on: Draft Buckinghamshire (Structural Changes) (modification of the local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007) Regulations 2019
Speech in General Committees - Mon 04 Feb 2019
Draft Buckinghamshire (Structural Changes) (modification of the local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007) Regulations 2019

"Buckinghamshire might be the only one, but the point still applies.

Mr Austin, I do not want to fall into my trap of speaking for 55 minutes. All I wanted to say to the Minister was all power to his elbow, because I think he is rightly focused on assisting …..."
Simon Hoare - View Speech

View all Simon Hoare (Con - North Dorset) contributions to the debate on: Draft Buckinghamshire (Structural Changes) (modification of the local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007) Regulations 2019
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 13 Dec 2018
Local Government Funding Settlement

"My right hon. Friend will know that with the home-grown proposals for the unitary councils of Dorset, we have been at the cutting edge of modernisation and delivering value for money and quality services. Will he say a little more in relation to Dorset, specifically, regarding the outcome of his …..."
Simon Hoare - View Speech

View all Simon Hoare (Con - North Dorset) contributions to the debate on: Local Government Funding Settlement
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 31 Oct 2018
Shale Gas Development

"I am very grateful to my hon. Friend for giving way. I declare myself as a fracking sceptic, if not an opponent. Does he agree that trying to change the planning regime now, with the heritage that we already have on this issue, does not in my book pass what …..."
Simon Hoare - View Speech

View all Simon Hoare (Con - North Dorset) contributions to the debate on: Shale Gas Development