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41162

	registered interest
	date	04/03/2014
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name
	answering dept sort name
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2014, Official Report, column 694W, on polling stations, what assessment he has made of the effect of foreign language translation by local authorities on integration of non-English speakers into their communities.
	tabling member constituency	Bromley and Chislehurst
	tabling member printed	Robert Neill
	uin	190554
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>In March 2013, my Department published new guidance for local authorities outlining how councils should stop translating into foreign languages. As outlined in the Written Ministerial Statement of 12 March 2013, <em>Official Report</em>, Column 5WS, such translation weakens integration; discourages communities from learning English; undermines rather than strengthens equality goals; harms community relations; and is an expensive waste of taxpayers' money at a time when councils need to be making sensible savings. It is disappointing that councils like Tower Hamlets have disregarded that guidance, and reflects broader issues with the dysfunctional governance and divisive practices of the council.</p><p>I would add that in light of previous instances of electoral fraud, including impersonation in polling stations, postal voting irregularities and allegations of improper influence, Ministers in this Department have concerns about the practice of allowing foreign language translators/interpreters inside polling stations. The privacy of the ballot must be protected and voters inside a polling station should not be subject to any pressure or influence to vote in a particular way. In that context, the integrity of the ballot box and of the local democratic process requires independent and transparent scrutiny in polling stations by polling agents, council staff, the police and, indeed, passing members of the public who are also voting. This is undermined by polling room administration being conducted in foreign languages.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 28/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
	tabling member	1601 label Biography information for Sir Robert Neill

168188

	registered interest
	date	05/12/2014
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Building Alterations
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether front and side extensions are subject to the same neighbouring amenity rules as rear extensions under the General Permitted Development Order 2013.
	tabling member constituency	Bromley and Chislehurst
	tabling member printed	Robert Neill
	uin	217524
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/12/2014 answer text <p>The provisions in the 2013 Order only apply to rear extensions. The details can be found at:</p><p> </p><p><a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/1101/article/4./made" target="_blank">http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/1101/article/4./made</a></p><p> </p><p>My Department’s guide on permitted development rights for householders was last updated in April 2014 and can be found at:</p><p> </p><p><a href="http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/100806_PDforhouseholders_TechnicalGuidance.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/100806_PDforhouseholders_TechnicalGuidance.pdf</a></p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 10/12/2014 15:47:59 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
	tabling member	1601 label Biography information for Sir Robert Neill

223562

	registered interest
	date	25/02/2015
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Right to Buy Scheme
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to incentivise local authorities to promote social tenants' Right to Buy.
	tabling member constituency	Bromley and Chislehurst
	tabling member printed	Robert Neill
	uin	225453
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2015 answer text <p>Under the Housing Act 1985 and associated secondary legislation, social landlords have a duty to supply information to their tenants to make them aware of how they can exercise their Right to Buy.</p><p> </p><p>However, it has been clear that some Labour councils have not enthusiastically done this, trying to keep their tenants in the dark. My Department has used a variety of media channels to raise awareness of the Right to Buy. We are open to representations on how we can further take forward the Right to Buy.</p><p> </p><p>More broadly, Right to Buy sales help councils boost housing construction and reduce housing waiting lists. Since the Right to Buy was reinvigorated in England, £730 million in sales receipts are being re-invested in affordable house building; levering a further £1.7 billion of investment over the next 2 years. This means that in total, over £2.4 billion will be raised to invest in affordable house building as a result of the Right to Buy.</p><p> </p><p>My Department recently announced a new £42 million fund in 2015-16 to help council tenants who are eligible for Right to Buy to purchase a home on the open market. This will prioritise several groups of council tenants, including older people and will give those older people an opportunity to buy a home which is more suitable for their needs, or closer to family or support networks.</p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 25/03/2015 13:41:48 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
	tabling member	1601 label Biography information for Sir Robert Neill

223563

	registered interest
	date	25/02/2015
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Leasehold: Tower Hamlets
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the appropriateness of leaseholder repair charges levied by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Bromley and Chislehurst
	tabling member printed	Robert Neill
	uin	225452
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2015 answer text <p>My Department has recently received a number of letters from leaseholders complaining about how much they are being charged by Tower Hamlets Homes (an arms length management organisation for the London Borough of Tower Hamlets) in relation to major improvements and repair works to their homes. Examples have been given of service charges of around £35,000. Some of the complaints have also asserted that the commissioning of the works is flawed or even corrupt.</p><p> </p><p>I have asked my officials for advice on whether we can make an assessment of the appropriateness of these charges.</p><p> </p><p>In the meantime, we will be forwarding copies of the correspondence from leaseholders to Mazars, who have been appointed to provide an independent verification for the London Borough of Tower Hamlets of the decent homes funding grant claims.</p><p> </p><p>Notwithstanding my Department’s review, I am disappointed with the aggressive and unsympathetic approach of the council, and this is yet another sign of how the actions of the Tower Hamlets administration have harmed the good reputation of local government.</p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 23/03/2015 19:57:24 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
	tabling member	1601 label Biography information for Sir Robert Neill

229349

	registered interest
	date	24/03/2015
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what his policy is on ensuring that new large-scale provision of housing takes place within mixed-use development schemes.
	tabling member constituency	Bromley and Chislehurst
	tabling member printed	Robert Neill
	uin	228888
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2015 answer text <p>The National Planning Policy Framework states that councils planning policies and decisions should aim to promote mixed use developments.<br><br>It is for local planning authorities to determine the shape of large scale development locally in the light of local planning policies. The delivery of housing at scale that this Government has supported, for example through our Large Sites investment programme, has a focus on creating strong new communities with development supporting a range of uses.</p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 26/03/2015 15:01:57 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
	tabling member	1601 label Biography information for Sir Robert Neill

229351

	registered interest
	date	24/03/2015
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Public Sector: Land
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what comparative assessment he has made of the benefit to the public purse of using surplus public land to (a) generate long-term revenue and (b) generate capital from the sale of that land.
	tabling member constituency	Bromley and Chislehurst
	tabling member printed	Robert Neill
	uin	228887
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2015 answer text <p>Over the course of this Parliament, Departments have exited unnecessary leases and sold vacant buildings. As a result, we have generated £1.4 billion in capital receipts, and saved £625 million by reducing the annual running cost of the estate. The Government has exited in aggregate more than one building every day since May 2010, reducing the size of our estate by 20%.</p><p> </p><p>The One Public Estate programme has already shown that, with small levels of investment and support, a great deal can be achieved. The 12 pilot areas that joined the programme in year 1 expect to cut running costs in the order of £21 million and to raise £88 million in capital receipts by 2018, as well as creating 7,500 new homes and 5,500 new jobs.</p><p> </p><p>Local 'capital and asset pathfinder' pilots have found that savings of around 20% are possible from a cross-public sector approach. Public sector assets are worth an estimated £385 billion, with almost two thirds owned by councils. ( Local Government Association Capital and Asset pathfinders Wave 2 summary report). The Government estimates this could potentially save £35 billion over 10 years through better property management. (DCLG press release, 5 August 2011).</p><p> </p><p>Further research has suggested that local government could reduce the space that it occupies by 20-30%, with potential savings in running costs of up to £7 billion a year. (Westminster Sustainable Business Forum, Leaner and Greener: Delivering Effective Estate Management, February 2011).</p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 26/03/2015 15:52:47 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
	tabling member	1601 label Biography information for Sir Robert Neill

454079

	registered interest
	date	23/02/2016
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Change of Use
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 11 November 2015 to Question 15112, when he intends to bring forward amendments to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015; what provisions will apply to office premises that have been granted prior approval for conversion to residential use but which will not be completed before 30 May 2016; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Bromley and Chislehurst
	tabling member printed	Robert Neill
	uin	28026
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/02/2016 answer text <p>We announced on 13 October 2015 that the permitted development right for the change of use from office to residential is to be made permanent, and that those with prior approval will have three years from the date of prior approval in which to change use. Further information on the detail and timing of the regulations will be provided in due course.</p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 29/02/2016 17:29:50 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
	tabling member	1601 label Biography information for Sir Robert Neill