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50478

registered interest
date	09/05/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what recent representations he has received on levels of remuneration for local government executives.
tabling member constituency	Bury St Edmunds
tabling member printed	Mr David Ruffley
uin	198330
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The Government regularly receives representations from concerned taxpayers on the levels of remuneration offered to senior local government officers. Whilst councils are independent employers we have taken steps to increase transparency and accountability on these local decisions.</p><p>Under the Localism Act, councils are required to publish an annual pay policy statement setting out their approach to pay, in particularly senior pay. In guidance to which all councils must have regard when preparing their policy statements, we have said that full council should to vote on senior salaries and exit packages of £100,000 or more.</p><p>Through the Transparency Code councils are required to publish on-line a range of workforce information including details of senior salaries for employees earning £50,000 or more and detailed organisation charts.This will further open up senior pay to greater public scrutiny. We also published “50 ways to save” a practical guide on how councils can make sensible savings in their budgets. This includes either cutting senior pay or looking at sharing chief executives and senior management teams. I would note that Ministers in this Government cut their salaries in 2010 and then froze them for the rest of this Parliament.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 13/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	133 label Biography information for Mr David Ruffley

50493

registered interest
date	09/05/2014
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
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 place in the Library research he has commissioned on the effect that turning off street lighting and relying on ambient lighting has on levels of crime.
tabling member constituency	Warrington North
tabling member printed	Helen Jones
uin	198326
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the rt. hon. Member for Leeds Central (Hilary Benn), on 13 May 2014, <em>Official Report</em>, Column 535-536W.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 14/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	432 label Biography information for Helen Jones

50322

registered interest
date	08/05/2014
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
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 Answers of 6 May 2014, Official Report, column 29W, and of 21 November 2013, Official Report, columns 980-1W, on local government publications, if he will list all councils that publish magazines or newsletters more than four times a year.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	198175
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Further to the information provided in my previous answers, my Department has not at this point undertaken a recent, definitive survey of every council in the country. It is a moving picture, as the commencement of the Local Audit and Accountability Act has encouraged greater compliance with the Publicity Code – for example, further to my answer of 21 November 2013, <em>Official Report</em>, Column 980W, I understand that East Northamptonshire has stopped its newspaper.</p><p>Such local initiatives are preferable to intervention. Notwithstanding, I refer the rt. hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement of 28 April 2014, <em>Official Report</em>, Column 35WS, which outlines the rationale for the steps taken on 17 April against five specific councils with the worst breaches, and which notes how we are prepared to take further action against other breaches of the Publicity Code.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 13/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

50323

registered interest
date	08/05/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the link between (a) street and (b) ambient lighting and the incidence of burglaries.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	198177
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>As I stated in my answer of 10 February 2014, <em>Official Report</em>, Column 419W, street lighting plays an important role in road safety, as well as ensuring the personal safety of pedestrians. There may be some roads where lights could be dimmed in the very early hours, saving taxpayers' money. However, this should be a local decision by elected local councillors, reflecting local circumstances – especially in relation to any concerns about crime. Equally, not every neighbourhood wants street lighting, as some communities, especially in rural areas, value dark skies.</p><p>We believe that councils should listen to the views of their local residents, and then adopt appropriate local policies based on the neighbourhood, the precise location and the usage of the road/street. I previously noted that <em>Manual for Streets</em> contains some useful guidance on getting the balance right when providing street lighting, taking into account the different issues around safety, crime prevention, street clutter and light pollution. Ultimately, there is no prescriptive Whitehall guidance, and any assessment will depend on local circumstances and local views.</p><p>Notwithstanding, I would observe that Her Majesty's Opposition seem to have a short memory about their actions on cutting street lighting when they were in office:</p><p>· <strong>Department for Environment, Food &amp; Rural Affairs</strong>: When the rt. hon. Member was Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, his Department and its quangos lectured local councils to switch off or reduce street lighting to minimise carbon emissions. For example, in 2007, he personally launched the Carbon Trust Standard, which was tied to an extensive programme to reduce street lighting as part of the Local Authority Carbon Management Programme. As DEFRA Ministers told the House: “All authorities should be seeking to reduce energy usage both to cut costs and to help combat climate change. As street lighting accounts for a significant proportion of the energy used by authorities, it should be readily identified as an area that should be examined for potential efficiency savings” (6 November 2006, <em>Official Report</em>, Column 709W).</p><p>· <strong>Department for Transport</strong>: The Minister of State for Transport, the noble Lord Adonis (now a Shadow Minister for Infrastructure) when asked about reducing the hours of operation of street lighting, noted that “the Government also support the Carbon Trust's local authority carbon management programme, which provides councils with support and guidance to help them realise carbon emissions savings from street lighting” (17 December 2008, <em>Official Report</em>, House of Lords, Column WA52). Transport Ministers also endorsed the Highways Agency's ‘Efficiency Strategy for Road Lighting' which led to switching off motorway lighting at night (21 April 2008, <em>Official Report</em>, Column 1444W; Highways Agency<em>, Efficiency Strategy for Road Lighting Midnight Switch Off for Motorway Lighting</em>, 2009).</p><p>· <strong>Department for Communities and Local Government</strong>: The rt. Hon. Member for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford (now Shadow Home Secretary), when as Minister in the precursor department to DCLG, noted there was nuanced debate on the extent of street lighting: “We all recognise the fact that there is a series of tensions around light pollution. People in the cities will never have the same view of the night sky as one can get in the middle of Dartmoor... There can be tensions too at neighbourhood level between the security-obsessed householder who has glaring white security lights stuck to every corner of the house, which flicker on every time a little bird flies past or the cat runs across the garden, and the neighbour who... has a telescope and cannot see across the garden, let alone into the skies” (12 February 2004, <em>Official Report</em>, Column 510WH).</p><p>· <strong>Department for Energy and Climate Change</strong>: In 2008, the rt. hon. Member for Leeds Central also personally launched the Carbon Reduction Commitment, which resulted in councils cutting carbon emissions from street lighting, including dimming or switching off lights. The Highway Agency's <em>Energy Strategy for Roadside Equipment</em> (April 2010) explained that the approach of “dimming, trimming and partial night lighting” was a consequence of the requirements to meet the Carbon Reduction Commitment. As DECC Ministers said to the House: “DECC is working to include street lighting in the Carbon Reduction Commitment. This will provide an incentive for local authorities to improve the energy efficiency of street lights. DECC is working closely with Communities and Local Government to develop the policy, in so far as it relates to local authorities” (19 June 2009, <em>Official Report</em>, Column 515W). Of course, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change at that time was the rt. hon. Member for Doncaster North, now Leader of HM Opposition.</p><p>I hope this illuminates the historical fogginess of the Labour Party's current campaign on municipal street lighting. I would suggest the last person out of Labour HQ tonight should turn off the lights.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 13/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

50185

registered interest
date	07/05/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to the letter of 30 April 2014 from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to the chairmen of fire and rescue authorities and the Chairman of the Local Government Association's Fire Service Management Committee, if he will put forward the revised proposals for consideration by firefighters and the Fire Brigades Union.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	198066
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>It is common knowledge that we agreed to ask the Government Actuary's Department to cost proposals put forward by the Fire Brigades Union. These were Fire Brigades Union proposals which the Government had not taken a view on.</p><p>My letter to the General Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union of 23 April said “we are now considering this proposal across Government. While we are not yet in a position to respond positively to your suggested changes, I will inform you of the outcome of those deliberations as soon as possible”. I had also been clear with the Fire Brigades Union leadership that it was only possible to consider such proposals during a period when strike action was in abeyance. Rather than continue and finalise that constructive process the Fire Brigades Union leadership chose to call a halt to discussions prematurely by announcing strike action.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 12/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

49742

registered interest
date	06/05/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, which organisations have received how much funding from his Department aimed at supporting access to short breaks and respite provision for children, young people and their families experiencing all types of disadvantage in each of the last five financial years.
tabling member constituency	Blackpool North and Cleveleys
tabling member printed	Paul Maynard
uin	197820
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Funding for such schemes would be a matter for local authorities, rather than being directly funded by my Department.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 12/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard

49796

registered interest
date	06/05/2014
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
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when he plans to answer Question 196666, tabled on 25 April 2014 for answer on 30 April 2014.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	197921
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Question 196666 was answered on 6 May, <em>Official Report</em>, Column 29W.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 12/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

49904

registered interest
date	06/05/2014
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
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 publish the guidance he has issued to combined authorities on good practice on the representation of opposition councillors on (a) the new bodies set up under the Combined Authority regulations and (b) the scrutiny panels; and what sanctions he has in the event of combined authorities not complying with best practice.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne East
tabling member printed	Mr Nicholas Brown
uin	197842
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Following the recent establishment of four new combined authorities, I wrote to the Leaders of the councils involved setting out the good practice that I expect them to follow with regards to governance and transparency. We believe that following such good practice will ensure that the various political parties represented on all the councils concerned will have appropriate involvement and influence in the work of the combined authorities. A copy of those letters were also published on the Government's website at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/letter-from-brandon-lewis-on-combined-authorities-governance-and-transparency" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/letter-from-brandon-lewis-on-combined-authorities-governance-and-transparency</a></p><p>and <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/letter-to-leaders-of-the-combined-authority-for-the-area-of-durham-northumberland-and-tyne-and-wear" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/letter-to-leaders-of-the-combined-authority-for-the-area-of-durham-northumberland-and-tyne-and-wear</a>.</p><p>The Government believes that it would reinforce the confidence all have in the effectiveness and accountability of combined authorities and economic prosperity boards, if the following of this good practice was guaranteed. I launched a consultation on 30 April regarding changes that the Government proposes to make to the legislation relating to combined authorities and economic prosperity boards. This consultation includes the proposal to require combined authorities and economic prosperity boards to have one or more overview and scrutiny committee(s) constituted with a membership reflecting the political balance of the councils concerned. This consultation closes on 24 June and can be found at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposals-to-amend-legislation-relating-to-combined-authorities-and-economic-prosperity-boards" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposals-to-amend-legislation-relating-to-combined-authorities-and-economic-prosperity-boards</a>.</p><p>I have placed copies of the associated documents in the Library of the House.</p><p> </p><p><em> </em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 12/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	523 label Biography information for Mr Nicholas Brown

49406

registered interest
date	01/05/2014
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
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 28 April 2014, Official Report, column 488W, on Business Improvement Districts: Birmingham, for what reasons no decision has yet been taken on the Business Improvement District for Sparkbrook and Springfield.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Hall Green
tabling member printed	Mr Roger Godsiff
uin	197531
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>We are considering carefully all the evidence and written representations and will issue a decision in due course.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 07/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	304 label Biography information for Mr Roger Godsiff

49449

registered interest
date	01/05/2014
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
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 bring forward proposals to relocate (a) staff and (b) offices of his Department to Brighton; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	197454
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/05/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Whilst noting the many virtues of Brighton, as recognised by the conferring of City status to the towns of Brighton and Hove by Her Majesty in 2000, I am afraid I have to disappoint my hon. Friend. My Department has no current plans to dig out our bucket and spade and move to the seaside.</p><p>Since May 2010, my Department's priority has been to rationalise our wider estate to reduce costs. This has seen the Department surrender six leasehold office properties through a combination of lease breaks and expiries generating net savings in the period of around £7 million per annum. The Department has also successfully sub-let surplus space across its leasehold office estate during the same period, reducing the overall property costs by around £11.1 million.</p><p>The Department has also negotiated the early surrender of Eland House and is shortly scheduled to relocate to 2 Marsham Street to share premises with the Home Office. This move will reduce our Department's running costs by a further £9 million a year and generate savings for the taxpayer of £220 million over the lifetime of the building's lease. This illustrates the scope for Government and, indeed, the public sector as a whole to make sensible savings through better property management.</p><p>However, I commend the hon. Member for his cheerleading of the City as a place to do business.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 12/05/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby