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1000274

registered interest
date	02/11/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Pocket Parks Scheme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much funding will be allocated to the second round of pocket parks; and if any of those parks will be located in South Yorkshire.
tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
uin	187343
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>The Secretary of State recognises the importance of parks and green spaces in building safer, stronger and more integrated communities. We announced on 7 October that Government would invest £1 million in a second pocket parks programme to create new parks and also provide support to maintain and improve existing parks to help bring existing parks back into safe and regular use.</p><p>The Government will shortly be publishing a prospectus, inviting bids for funding from across the England. Following closure of the application process, bids will be reviewed and announcement of successful applicants will be announced in spring 2018.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 12/11/2018 17:21:10 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

1002717

registered interest
date	06/11/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Local Government Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what comparative assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of Government funding for local authorities and trends in local authority spending on sports and recreation spaces.
tabling member constituency	Denton and Reddish
tabling member printed	Andrew Gwynne
uin	188754
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>The Government understands the important part that sports and recreation places play in local communities.</p><p>Over the five year period from 2015-16 to 2019-20 council’s will have access to more than £200 billion after this month’s budget. The Chancellor’s announcement means a real-terms increase in funding for local government in 2018/19 and 2019/20.</p><p>The Government has increased local councils’ financial flexibility by removing conditions from many grants. This gives them more freedom over the money they receive and enables them to work with their residents to decide how best to spend it on local priorities.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 12/11/2018 17:27:43 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	1506 label Biography information for Andrew Gwynne

1002722

registered interest
date	06/11/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Local Government: Procurement
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his oral contribution of 5 November 2018, Official Report column 1229, what guidance he has issued to local authorities on taking local value into account when awarding contracts.
tabling member constituency	Warley
tabling member printed	John Spellar
uin	188710
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 places a requirement on commissioners, including local authorities, to consider the social, economic and environmental benefits of their approaches to services contracts before the procurement process starts. The existing scheme of UK procurement rules, which implement the EU public procurement directives, are preserved under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 when the UK leaves the European Union, with relevant adjustments necessary to ensure legal operability. This will give legal certainty and continuity to businesses, contracting authorities, and employees, on day one of Exit. We will use opportunities offered by our exit from the EU to carefully consider longer-term options for the UK's public procurement rules.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 12/11/2018 17:22:01 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

1003736

registered interest
date	09/11/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Council Tax: Non-payment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to bring England in line with the rest of the UK by ending the use of imprisonment for non-payment of council tax debt.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	189834
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>Imprisonment should only ever be the last resort for non-payment of council tax. Before a magistrates’ court commits someone to prison for failure to pay their council tax, it must inquire as to the debtor’s means, and satisfy itself that failure to pay is due to “wilful refusal or culpable neglect”. This is to prevent persons who are genuinely unable to pay their council tax from being committed to prison. The Government does not have any plans to change the current arrangements.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 19/11/2018 16:24:15 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1003848

registered interest
date	09/11/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Non-domestic Rates
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the business rates relief for properties announced in Budget 2018 will apply to premises in planning use class D2.
tabling member constituency	Bristol East
tabling member printed	Kerry McCarthy
uin	189620
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2018 answer text <p>At the Budget the Government announced a one third discount off business rate bills for high streets and town centres worth almost £900 million. The discount will be available, subject to state aid, to retail properties with a rateable value of less than £51,000 such as shops, restaurants, cafes and drinking establishments. We will publish guidance shortly to help local authorities determine eligibility and implement the discount.</p><p>Since 2016 the Government has announced a raft of measures to support business, including permanently doubling Small Business Rate Relief from 50 per cent to 100 per cent for eligible businesses, and raising the threshold for 100 per cent relief from £6,000 to £12,000. As a result, over 655,000 small businesses – occupiers of a third of all properties – pay no business rates at all. In addition, the Government brought forward to April 2018 the switch in the annual indexation of business rates from RPI to the main measure of inflation, currently CPI, which will be a saving for all ratepayers.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 16/11/2018 13:33:49 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	1491 label Biography information for Kerry McCarthy

1005702

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Social Services: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that the transition to a new single authority in Buckinghamshire will not affect existing programmes to improve the provision of Children's Services.
tabling member constituency	Chesham and Amersham
tabling member printed	Dame Cheryl Gillan
uin	190318
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>The leaders of all the Buckinghamshire councils have made clear to me their commitment to ensure the continuing improvement of children’s services. It will be important throughout the transition to the recommendations of the Children’s Commissioner are given due regard. I am considering how these recommendations may best be reflected in the Order which, if approved by Parliament, will implement the new unitary district council and make provision for transitional arrangements.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 20/11/2018 17:24:08 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	18 label Biography information for Dame Cheryl Gillan

1005703

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Unitary Councils: Buckinghamshire
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent estimate he has made of the savings to be accrued as a result of the establishment of a single unitary district council in Buckinghamshire.
tabling member constituency	Chesham and Amersham
tabling member printed	Dame Cheryl Gillan
uin	190319
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>The information to which the Secretary of State had regard when making his decision on the Buckinghamshire proposal for a single unitary council included financial estimates from Buckinghamshire County Council, indicating that savings of some £18 million per year could be made. Information on costs and benefits is available here: <a href="https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/our-plans/buckinghamshire-unitary/" target="_blank">https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/our-plans/buckinghamshire-unitary/</a></p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 20/11/2018 17:28:03 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	18 label Biography information for Dame Cheryl Gillan

1005704

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Unitary Councils: Buckinghamshire
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what additional financial support he plans to provide to the district councils in Buckinghamshire to enable them to fulfil the requirement to support town and parish councils in the production of neighbourhood plans during the period of preparation for a new single unitary district council.
tabling member constituency	Chesham and Amersham
tabling member printed	Dame Cheryl Gillan
uin	190320
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>The Government’s New Burdens doctrine ensures local planning authorities receive the relevant resources to meet their statutory obligations under neighbourhood planning. This Government has paid out over £23 million since 2012 to help local planning authorities meet their neighbourhood planning responsibilities. Local authorities can apply for funding of £20,000 for every neighbourhood plan that has passed its independent examination and reached referendum stage. Further details are available in the Chief Planners letter of May 2018 (full link: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/717060/180605_Chief_Planner_Letter_NPG_18-19_-_revised.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/717060/180605_Chief_Planner_Letter_NPG_18-19_-_revised.pdf</a>).</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 20/11/2018 17:24:55 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	18 label Biography information for Dame Cheryl Gillan

1005705

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Local Government Finance: Buckinghamshire
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will publish the financial reserves held at 1 November 2018 by each of the local authorities in Buckinghamshire that will be abolished by the creation of a single unitary district council.
tabling member constituency	Chesham and Amersham
tabling member printed	Dame Cheryl Gillan
uin	190321
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>The latest data collected from local authorities on their reserves is for 31 March 2018. This is available at <a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/local-authority-revenue-expenditure-and-financing-england-2017-to-2018-individual-local-authority-data-outturn" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/statistics/local-authority-revenue-expenditure-and-financing-england-2017-to-2018-individual-local-authority-data-outturn</a>.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 20/11/2018 17:22:56 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	18 label Biography information for Dame Cheryl Gillan

1005706

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Local Government Finance: Buckinghamshire
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to ensure that the existing financial reserves held by Chiltern District Council will be spent in the Chiltern District Council area.
tabling member constituency	Chesham and Amersham
tabling member printed	Dame Cheryl Gillan
uin	190322
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary secondary legislation, Chiltern District Council will be able to continue to take decisions about the use of its existing financial reserves until 31 March 2020, after which, remaining reserves become the responsibility of the new unitary district council which may decide to use them to resource new community boards being established and services and assets being devolved to any town and parish councils in the area.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 20/11/2018 17:22:36 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	18 label Biography information for Dame Cheryl Gillan

1005707

registered interest
date	12/11/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Unitary Councils: Buckinghamshire
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Written Statement of 1 November on Local Government Update, HCWS1058, what discussions he has had with district councils on implementation of proposals for a new unitary district council in Buckinghamshire; and what assessment his Department has made of the merits of using existing local structures to deliver services to residents.
tabling member constituency	Chesham and Amersham
tabling member printed	Dame Cheryl Gillan
uin	190323
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2018 answer text <p>I have met with the leaders of all the Buckinghamshire councils who have made clear their ambitions for the new council and their intentions to work together constructively to achieve these. Central to the unitary proposal is devolving services and funding to parish and town councils where they want this, which the proposal explains will enable greater empowerment at a local level.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 20/11/2018 17:23:23 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	18 label Biography information for Dame Cheryl Gillan

100598

registered interest
date	20/10/2014
answering body	Leader of the House
answering dept id	34
answering dept short name	Leader of the House
answering dept sort name	Leader of the House
hansard heading	Devolution
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Leader of the House, what progress he has made on plans for changes to the devolution settlement in the UK.
tabling member constituency	Ribble Valley
tabling member printed	Mr Nigel Evans
uin	905596
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2014 answer text <p>The Prime Minister has set out the timetable for further devolution to Scotland to be considered. Much work is also underway to ensure we have a balanced devolution settlement - fair to people in all parts of the United Kingdom.</p><p>For Scotland, we are implementing the Scotland Act 2012, we have published a Command Paper on the parties' proposals for further devolution and Lord Smith of Kelvin is overseeing the cross-party process to take forward the devolution commitments for Scotland. For Wales, the Wales Bill is progressing through Parliament and the Secretary of State has met the Welsh Leaders of the political parties in Westminster and there will be further discussions with them and with political leaders in the Assembly in the coming weeks. In England, work continues to devolve more powers from Whitehall to our cities and regions and the Government is examining the various constitutional issues that arise from further devolution, including the so-called West Lothian Question. For Northern Ireland, work continues to ensure that the devolved institutions function effectively.</p><p>The House, and others, will be kept updated and have the chance to contribute to these important discussions.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Mr William Hague question first answered 23/10/2014 15:49:14 answering member 379 label Biography information for Lord Hague of Richmond
tabling member	474 label Biography information for Mr Nigel Evans

1006859

registered interest
date	14/11/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Parks: Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Fields in Trust report on revaluing parks and green spaces, published on 7 May, what assessment he has made of the effect of changes to the level of funding for parks on (a) public health and (b) NHS costs.
tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
tabling member printed	Mr John Hayes
uin	191282
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2018 answer text <p>The Secretary of State welcomes the research from Fields in Trust and recognises the benefits accessing good quality parks and spaces can make to people’s health and wellbeing.</p><p>While no specific assessment has been made on the effect of changes to the level of funding on health and the NHS, we know that increasing the use of good quality green space for all social groups is likely to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities. It can also bring other benefits such as greater community cohesion and reduced social isolation.Public Health England’s briefing, written by the Institute of Health Equity, summarise a detailed evidence review here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/355792/Briefing8_Green_spaces_health_inequalities.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/355792/Briefing8_Green_spaces_health_inequalities.pdf</a></p><p>In September 2017, the Government created the ‘Parks Action Group’ to address the issues facing public parks. The Government is working closely with the experts on the group - including Fields in Trust to develop our understanding of the matters facing our public parks and green spaces. Work is currently underway to develop a clearer understanding of the funding picture and to identify a range of initiatives to support the long-term sustainability of our parks and green spaces.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 21/11/2018 13:52:27 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes

1006922

registered interest
date	14/11/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Council Tax
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what proportion of houses in the UK are marked as (a) empty and (b) a second home for Council Tax purposes.
tabling member constituency	Coventry South
tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
uin	191278
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>The Department does not collect this information for the UK. However, figures on the number of dwellings liable for council tax and those that are empty or are second homes in England can be found at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/755950/Local_Authority_Council_Tax_base_England_2018_Statistical_Release.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/755950/Local_Authority_Council_Tax_base_England_2018_Statistical_Release.pdf</a>.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 19/11/2018 09:33:12 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1007759

registered interest
date	15/11/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Unitary Councils: Buckinghamshire
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Written Statement of 1 November 2018, Local Government Update, HCWS 1058, from which businesses and organisations in Buckinghamshire he has received representations on local government reorganisation; and what information his Department holds on the amount of grant funding or financial support those businesses and organisations have received from Buckinghamshire County Council in the last three years.
tabling member constituency	Chesham and Amersham
tabling member printed	Dame Cheryl Gillan
uin	191992
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2018 answer text <p>I received representations on unitarisation in Buckinghamshire from the following local business organisations: Buckinghamshire Business First, Buckinghamshire Business Group, Chiltern Chamber of Commerce, Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce; 18 individual local businesses also made representations. Information about grant funding and support provided by local authorities to business organisations is not held centrally. The Local Government Transparency Code 2015 requires local authorities to publicise specified data on financial transactions including publishing details of all grants to voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 21/11/2018 13:51:10 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	18 label Biography information for Dame Cheryl Gillan

1007760

registered interest
date	15/11/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Unitary Councils: Buckinghamshire
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that local authorities in Buckinghamshire are able to manage the planning process for the development of High Speed 2 Oxford and Cambridge arc during the transition of those authorities to a single unitary council.
tabling member constituency	Chesham and Amersham
tabling member printed	Dame Cheryl Gillan
uin	191845
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2018 answer text <p>The existing councils will continue to fulfil their role until the new council is in place. Subject to Parliamentary approval, implementing secondary legislation will provide that planning for and implementing the transition to the new unitary council is to be the responsibility of the shadow authority and shadow executive. This will include members of the five existing councils. This ensures that expertise will be available from across the area for such key issues such as HS2 and the Oxford-Cambridge arc.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 21/11/2018 13:50:23 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	18 label Biography information for Dame Cheryl Gillan

1010280

registered interest
date	19/11/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Non-domestic Rates: Northern Ireland
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with local councils in Northern Ireland on business rates.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	192883
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2018 answer text <p>Business rates are a devolved matter in Northern Ireland and should be a matter for a future Executive.</p><p> </p><p>In the absence of an Executive, the Northern Ireland Office and the Secretary of State for Northen Ireland work closely with the Northern Ireland Civil Service on a range of issues, including finance related matters such as the setting of regional rates.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 27/11/2018 17:07:00 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

1010291

registered interest
date	19/11/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Independent Mental Health Advocates
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has made a recent assessment of the effectiveness with which local authorities undertake their duty to provide independent advocacy services to people subject to the Mental Health Act 1983; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Stroud
tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
uin	192714
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/11/2018 answer text <p>Under the Mental Health Act 1983, and as set out in the Code of Practice , local authorities have a duty to ensure timely access to appropriately trained independent mental health advocates and ensure that patients are informed of the support that an advocate can provide. I have not assessed the effectiveness with which local authorities provide independent advocacy services; policy responsibility for the Mental Health Act 1983 and for the provision of independent mental health advocates lies with the Department of Health and Social Care<em>.</em></p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 22/11/2018 14:08:44 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1010741

registered interest
date	20/11/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Loneliness
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to incorporate the Government's new loneliness strategy into its policy formulation process.
tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
tabling member printed	Chris Ruane
uin	193407
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2018 answer text <p>The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is one of nine Government departments contributing to the cross-government work on loneliness. <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-connected-society-a-strategy-for-tackling-loneliness" target="_blank">‘A connected society: a strategy for tackling loneliness - laying the foundations for change’</a>, sets out the Department’s commitment to tackling loneliness across a range of areas, including funding research into the impact of community-led housing and cohousing solutions on loneliness and working with the Local Government Association (LGA) and National Association of Local Councils (NALC) to explore an effective means of sharing learning and good practice.</p><p>The loneliness strategy takes action on the Jo Cox Commission’s recommendation for a family test: it requires government departments to report on their work on tackling loneliness in their annual Single Departmental Plans from 2019/20 and commits to including loneliness in the guidance for the Family Test.</p><p>The Inter-Ministerial Group on Loneliness will be continuing to explore additional options to ensure social relationships are considered across Government’s wider policy-making. The Ministerial Group will publish an annual progress report on the loneliness agenda, recognising that this is just the start of government’s work on this issue.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 23/11/2018 11:03:07 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	534 label Biography information for Chris Ruane

1011660

registered interest
date	21/11/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Private Property: Parking
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to tackle unauthorised parking on private property; and what support is available to people who wish to remove unwanted vehicles parked on their property.
tabling member constituency	Wantage
tabling member printed	Mr Edward Vaizey
uin	194119
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/11/2018 answer text <p>The Government is currently supporting Sir Greg Knight’s Parking (Code of Practice) Bill that is seeking to create a code of practice for the private parking industry. There are, however, no current plans to further strengthen powers to tackle unauthorised parking on private property.</p><p>Landowners can manage parking on their land under the provisions of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012. They may also employ a parking operator to undertake enforcement on their behalf.</p><p>Councils currently provide the support to remove unwanted vehicles. They have a statutory duty to remove vehicles that are abandoned on any land in the open air, including on private land such as car parks. There is no statutory definition of ‘abandoned’, and it is for councils to determine whether any particular vehicle has been abandoned. Council officers may legally enter private land in order to investigate and remove abandoned vehicles.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 28/11/2018 15:19:08 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	1580 label Biography information for Lord Vaizey of Didcot

1013170

registered interest
date	23/11/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Local Government: Pensions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how the governance arrangements of the Local Government Pension Scheme currently comply with the first Institutions for Occupational Retirement Provision Directive and the new Directive due to be implemented on 13 January 2019; and if he will place all correspondence on those Directives his Department has had with the EU Commission in the Library.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	195078
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/11/2018 answer text <p>The Government's approach to transposition of the two Institutions for Occupational Retirement Provision Directives for the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) reflects the fact that it is a statutory public service scheme. The appropriate response is therefore different than it is for other, trust-based schemes. Having taken legal advice, our view is that the current governance arrangements of the LGPS, set out in the LGPS Regulations and the broader suite of local authorities' statutory obligations, are sufficient to meet the objectives of the directive. The Department of Work and Pensions has led for the UK Government on negotiation and transposition of the directives with the EU Commission and any request to see correspondence with the Commission should be addressed to them.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 28/11/2018 15:47:28 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1015031

registered interest
date	26/11/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Local Government: Pensions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the draft Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 apply to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	195604
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/11/2018 answer text <p>These draft regulations make minor and technical changes to correct any elements of the UK’s occupational and personal pensions legislation that will not work effectively after the UK departs the EU. They will not apply to the Local Government Pension Scheme.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 29/11/2018 15:24:22 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1015219

registered interest
date	26/11/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Bus Services: Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on funds for the new powers to bring about change and unlock the potential for the bus industry to achieve more for passengers as set out in the Bus Services Act 2017.
tabling member constituency	Bristol North West
tabling member printed	Darren Jones
uin	195687
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/12/2018 answer text <p>The Secretary of State meets with ministers, including HMT ministers, regularly to discuss a range of issues relating to local government. Local authorities in England outside London spend over £1 billion a year on bus services. Over the five year period from 2015-16 to 2019-20 councils will have access to more than £200 billion, after the Autumn 2018 budget.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 04/12/2018 15:45:57 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	4621 label Biography information for Darren Jones

101666

registered interest
date	29/10/2014
answering body	Leader of the House
answering dept id	34
answering dept short name	Leader of the House
answering dept sort name	Leader of the House
hansard heading	Public Opinion
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Leader of the House, how much his Office spent on (a) focus groups and (b) surveys in (i) 2013 and (ii) 2014 to date.
tabling member constituency	Croydon North
tabling member printed	Mr Steve Reed
uin	212506
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2014 answer text <p>The Office of the Leader of the House of Commons is part of the Cabinet Office. Our answer is included in the response by the Minister for the Cabinet Office.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Mr William Hague question first answered 04/11/2014 17:47:40 answering member 379 label Biography information for Lord Hague of Richmond
tabling member	4268 label Biography information for Steve Reed

1017307

registered interest
date	29/11/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Social Services: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the resources required for local authority children's services, care services and care leaver services effectively to implement the national protocol on reducing the unnecessary criminalisation of looked-after children and care leavers.
tabling member constituency	West Ham
tabling member printed	Lyn Brown
uin	197431
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/12/2018 answer text <p>The national protocol on reducing criminalisation of looked after children and care leavers sets out best practice. Implementing the protocol is voluntary; it does not place any new statutory burdens on local authorities.</p><p>The protocol has been developed with leaders from across the children’s social care, health and criminal justice sectors and endorsed as a positive step forward for children and young people and the relevant professionals working with them.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 06/12/2018 15:42:28 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	1583 label Biography information for Ms Lyn Brown

1019881

registered interest
date	04/12/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Environmental Health
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the effect of recent changes in the level of Government funding to local authorities on the effectiveness of local authority environmental health teams.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	198919
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/12/2018 answer text <p>Over the five-year period from 2015-16 to 2019-20 councils will have access to more than £200 billion. It is for local authorities to determine how to spend this and the other sources of income they receive on the services that they provide, including Environmental Health, taking account of local needs and priorities.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 10/12/2018 17:15:07 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1020297

registered interest
date	05/12/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Local Government Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the change in real terms of central Government funding for local government since 2010.
tabling member constituency	Coventry South
tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
uin	199289
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/12/2018 answer text <p>Central government funding cannot in isolation provide a true representation of local authority finances. The responsibilities, structure and makeup of local authorities have changed significantly since 2010 and spending power, formula grants and settlement funding assessments are not directly comparable over this period. For example, with the introduction of the Business Rates Retention Scheme local authorities estimate they will keep around £2.4 billion in business rates growth in 2018-19.</p><p>Over the five year period from 2015-16 to 2019-20 council’s will have access to more than £200 billion, after last month’s budget. This recognises both the growing pressure on local government’s services and higher-than-expected inflation levels. In the long term, next year’s Spending Review will determine funding for local government from 2020-21 onwards and will enable us to look at local government spending in the round.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 10/12/2018 17:13:40 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1020440

registered interest
date	05/12/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Local Government: Standards
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of reintroducing a standards board for local councils.
tabling member constituency	North Cornwall
tabling member printed	Scott Mann
uin	199456
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/12/2018 answer text <p>We abolished the Standards Board regime as it was a top down, centralist regime which had unfortunately become a vehicle for petty, malicious and politically motivated complaints. In its place the Localism Act 2011 created a robust framework for local authority standards arrangements. This requires local authorities to promote and maintain high standards of conduct and adopt a code that is consistent with the seven ‘Nolan’ Principles.</p><p>The Government is awaiting early in the New Year the publication of the Committee on Standards in Public Life’s Review of Local Government Ethical Standards. The Government will consider the CSPL report carefully, and we will publish our response in due course.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 13/12/2018 14:26:36 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	4496 label Biography information for Scott Mann

1020663

registered interest
date	06/12/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Social Services: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with local authorities on the delivery of children’s services.
tabling member constituency	Exeter
tabling member printed	Mr Ben Bradshaw
uin	199767
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/12/2018 answer text <p>The Secretary of State and the Minister for Local Government regularly hear from Councils across the country to discuss the delivery of services, including Children’s Social Care.</p><p>The Department leads on the national Troubled Families Programme, which aims to find better ways of working with complex families with multiple high-cost problems. Ministers regularly visit participating authorities and hear from the families and children who are supported by the Programme, in which we have committed £920 million from 2015-2020.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 14/12/2018 14:35:10 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	230 label Biography information for Mr Ben Bradshaw

1020805

registered interest
date	07/12/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Social Services: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of funding local government receives to deliver children’s services.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Hall Green
tabling member printed	Mr Roger Godsiff
uin	200075
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2018 answer text <p>Funding for local government services, including children’s services, is set at Spending Review. The Chancellor has announced that the next Spending Review will be in 2019 and decisions about the future funding of local government will be taken in the round.</p><p>We are working with the Department for Education (DfE) and the sector to develop an understanding of children’s services costs and pressures, and to help local authorities innovate and reform services to achieve better quality and efficiency.</p><p>In preparation for the Spending Review, and as part of the Government’s review of relative needs and resources, new, up-to-date formulas are being developed to ensure funding distribution to councils is based on the best available evidence. DfE and MHCLG have commissioned an ambitious data research project from independent contractors to inform this work.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak grouped question UIN 201693 question first answered 17/12/2018 14:22:16 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	304 label Biography information for Mr Roger Godsiff

1022408

registered interest
date	10/12/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Local Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	What recent steps his Department has taken to support local government.
tabling member constituency	Mid Worcestershire
tabling member printed	Nigel Huddleston
uin	908107
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/12/2018 answer text <p>At the Autumn Budget the Government announced over £1 billion of extra funding for local authorities, this year and next, to help them deliver the services their communities need and support their most vulnerable residents.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 10/12/2018 16:38:55 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston

1022932

registered interest
date	10/12/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Local Government Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the total number of local authorities that have seen an overall loss in their reserves between 2010 and 2018.
tabling member constituency	Coventry South
tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
uin	200543
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/12/2018 answer text <p>Local authorities provide reserves figures in their annual revenue expenditure returns to the Ministry. These can be found in the first individual local authority data table for each of the budget and outturn collections at <a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/collections/local-authority-revenue-expenditure-and-financing" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/collections/local-authority-revenue-expenditure-and-financing</a>.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 13/12/2018 14:23:51 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1023914

registered interest
date	12/12/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Social Services: Children
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of funding allocated to local authorities for the provision of children’s services.
tabling member constituency	Bradford South
tabling member printed	Judith Cummins
uin	201693
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2018 answer text <p>Funding for local government services, including children’s services, is set at Spending Review. The Chancellor has announced that the next Spending Review will be in 2019 and decisions about the future funding of local government will be taken in the round.</p><p>We are working with the Department for Education (DfE) and the sector to develop an understanding of children’s services costs and pressures, and to help local authorities innovate and reform services to achieve better quality and efficiency.</p><p>In preparation for the Spending Review, and as part of the Government’s review of relative needs and resources, new, up-to-date formulas are being developed to ensure funding distribution to councils is based on the best available evidence. DfE and MHCLG have commissioned an ambitious data research project from independent contractors to inform this work.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak grouped question UIN 200075 question first answered 17/12/2018 14:22:16 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	4391 label Biography information for Judith Cummins

1023937

registered interest
date	12/12/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Local Government Finance: Lambeth
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the level of funding allocated to Lambeth London Borough Council was in real terms in each year since 2010.
tabling member constituency	Streatham
tabling member printed	Chuka Umunna
uin	201639
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/12/2018 answer text <p>Core Spending Power is a broad measure of local authority funding including income from Revenue Support Grant, Business Rates Retention, Council Tax and other central government grants. However, reflecting the changing finance and function of local government over the period since 2010, the definition of spending power has also changed. Therefore, spending power cannot be compared over this period. The Department does not publish real terms figures, but cash terms spending power figures by local authority are available at the below links:<br> <br> <a href="https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140505110052/http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/1112/grant.htm" target="_blank">https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140505110052/http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/1112/grant.htm</a></p><p><a href="https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140505110056/http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/1213/grant.htm" target="_blank">https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140505110056/http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/1213/grant.htm</a></p><p><a href="https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140505104701/http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/1314/settle.htm" target="_blank">https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140505104701/http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/1314/settle.htm</a></p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/final-local-government-finance-settlement-england-2014-to-2015" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/final-local-government-finance-settlement-england-2014-to-2015</a></p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/change-in-spending-power-final-local-government-finance-settlement-2015-to-2016" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/change-in-spending-power-final-local-government-finance-settlement-2015-to-2016</a></p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/provisional-local-government-finance-settlement-england-2019-to-2020" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/provisional-local-government-finance-settlement-england-2019-to-2020</a></p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 18/12/2018 16:24:20 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	4128 label Biography information for Chuka Umunna

1024743

registered interest
date	13/12/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Unitary Councils
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, which local authority areas have (a) achieved and (b) sought unitary status in each year since 2010.
tabling member constituency	Stroud
tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
uin	202033
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/12/2018 answer text <p>Whilst to date since 2010 no local authority areas have achieved unitary status, two new unitary councils will be established in Dorset on 1 April 2019, we have announced that subject to Parliamentary approval a new unitary council for Buckinghamshire will be established on 1 April 2020, and we are currently consulting on a proposal made by seven councils in Northamptonshire to establish two new unitary councils covering that county on 1 April 2020. In addition to these areas since 2010 certain councils in Oxfordshire have made a proposal for unitary status for that county which is not being pursued.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 18/12/2018 16:26:07 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1024744

registered interest
date	13/12/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Unitary Councils
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of the benefits secured by local authority areas that have moved to unitary status.
tabling member constituency	Stroud
tabling member printed	Dr David Drew
uin	202034
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/12/2018 answer text <p>The Government has made no recent assessment of the benefits secured by local authority areas that have moved to unitary status, but is aware of certain independent reports which have made such assessments. These include a report commissioned by the County Councils Network and authored by Phil Swann in 2016 called “Learning the Lessons from Local Government Reorganisation - An Independent Study“, which found that larger unitary councils are most likely to be able to generate economies of scale, be resilient, and be able to take strategic decisions in an integrated way with the broader public sector.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 18/12/2018 16:25:00 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	252 label Biography information for Dr David Drew

1024803

registered interest
date	13/12/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Local Government Services
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that local government has the resources it needs to deliver vital services to children and families.
tabling member constituency	Warwick and Leamington
tabling member printed	Matt Western
uin	202164
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/12/2018 answer text <p>Over the five year period from 2015-16 to 2019-20, councils will have access to more than £200 billion. At the Autumn Budget the Government announced over £1 billion of extra funding for local authorities, this year and next, to help them deliver the services their communities need and support their most vulnerable residents.</p><p>Funding for local government services, including services for children and families, is set at Spending Review. The Chancellor has announced that the next Spending Review will be in 2019 and decisions about the future funding of services will be taken in the round. We are working with other Government Departments and the sector both to develop a thorough understanding of services costs and pressures and to help local authorities innovate and reform services to achieve better quality and efficiency.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 18/12/2018 16:27:01 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	4617 label Biography information for Matt Western

1024815

registered interest
date	13/12/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Non-domestic Rates
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement, what process was used to choose the 15 local authority areas that will pilot the 75 per cent business rate retention in 2019-20.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Edgbaston
tabling member printed	Preet Kaur Gill
uin	202143
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2018 answer text <p>All applications for the 2019-20 business rates retention pilot programme were assessed against the criteria that was laid out in the ‘Invitation to Local Authorities in England to pilot 75 per cent Business Rates Retention in 2019/20’, published in July 2018.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 17/12/2018 14:23:38 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	4603 label Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill

1027278

registered interest
date	17/12/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Social Services: Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the (a) percentage increase in council tax levied for and (b) sum raised by the adult social care precept was in each English local authority area in the latest period for which that information is available.
tabling member constituency	St Helens North
tabling member printed	Conor McGinn
uin	202828
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/12/2018 answer text <p>Billing authorities and county councils with responsibility for adult social care services are able to charge the Adult Social Care precept. Data on the Adult Social Care precept and the percentage increase in the precept for 2018-19 for individual authorities can be found in</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/699454/Table_9_revised.xlsx" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/699454/Table_9_revised.xlsx</a>.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 20/12/2018 12:10:24 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	4458 label Biography information for Conor McGinn

1027335

registered interest
date	17/12/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Parking: Fines
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has collected data on (a) the level of fines that have been levied by private car park operators, (b) the number of private car parking fine appeals that have been heard and (c) the proportion of those appeals that have been successful in each of the last five years.
tabling member constituency	Croydon Central
tabling member printed	Sarah Jones
uin	202845
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/12/2018 answer text <p>The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government does not hold this data.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 20/12/2018 12:08:16 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	4631 label Biography information for Sarah Jones

1028748

registered interest
date	19/12/2018
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Members: Correspondence
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Christchurch of 9 November 2018 on harmonisation of council tax.
tabling member constituency	Christchurch
tabling member printed	Sir Christopher Chope
uin	203772
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2019 answer text <p>The Secretary of State responded to the letter from my Hon Friend by post on 5 December 2018. A copy of the letter has subsequently been sent by email.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 07/01/2019 12:13:12 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	242 label Biography information for Sir Christopher Chope

1035106

registered interest
date	04/01/2019
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Public Lavatories: Non-domestic Rates
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will introduce discretionary rate relief for all public conveniences.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	205159
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/01/2019 answer text <p>At Autumn Budget 2018, the Government announced a 100 per cent business rates relief for stand-alone public lavatories in England and will introduce legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows. This relief will be provided for publicly and privately-owned lavatories. Local authorities will be fully compensated for the loss of income as a result of providing this relief<a target="_blank">. Authorities </a> retain their discretionary powers to grant relief to other ratepayers in need of assistance.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 09/01/2019 14:37:18 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson

1035313

registered interest
date	04/01/2019
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Fire and Rescue Services: Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will ensure that future funding settlements for fire and rescue services take account of geographical differences in council tax revenue.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
uin	205265
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/01/2019 answer text <p>We are reviewing local authorities’ relative needs and resources to take a fresh look at how to fund services, including fire and rescue services, at future funding settlements.</p><p>As part of this, the Government believes that it remains important to continue to take account of local authorities’ relative ability to raise resources, including council tax, when allocating funding.</p><p>Our December 2018 consultation sets out proposals for measuring local authority need, options for a resources adjustment and principles for potential transition arrangements.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 09/01/2019 14:39:31 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1038380

registered interest
date	09/01/2019
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Public Health Funerals
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the cost to the public purse of local authority funded funerals carried out under section 46 of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 in each year since 2010.
tabling member constituency	Coventry South
tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
uin	206720
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/01/2019 answer text <p>The Department does not collect this information from local authorities.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 14/01/2019 16:15:40 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1039045

registered interest
date	10/01/2019
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Local Government: Crawley
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the accuracy of allegations (a) of approximately £500,000 being spent inefficiently by Crawley Borough Council on a recent IT project and (b) that freedom of information requests by residents on that subject have not been fully responded to; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Crawley
tabling member printed	Henry Smith
uin	207242
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/01/2019 answer text <p>Local councils act independently of central government. They are accountable for their actions to their electorate and there are mechanisms in place for local people to hold councils to account. This means that any questions about spending decisions, the delivery of services, or the performance of a council are for that council to respond to. If local people remain unsatisfied with the response they receive from the council they can contact the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman for advice.</p><p>In respect of Freedom of Information requests, if a requester is unhappy with the response of the local authority to their FOI requests, they can ask the independent Information Commissioner to investigate.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 18/01/2019 13:09:17 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1039583

registered interest
date	11/01/2019
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Football: Sportsgrounds
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate his Department has made of the number of football stadiums in the UK nominated for designation as assets of community value under the Localism Act 2011 that have been judged by a local authority not to meet the test for being such an asset.
tabling member constituency	Coventry South
tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
uin	207557
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2019 answer text <p>The Department does not collect information or provide estimates on the number of assets of community value unsuccessful nominated.</p><p>Decisions on whether a nomination satisfies the statutory test set out in the Localism Act 2011 are for local authorities to determine. In February 2017 an asset count undertaken by Locality on behalf of the department identified 4,307 assets of community value in England. Information published by Supports Direct has identified 30 football stadiums as Assets of Community Value in England.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 16/01/2019 16:59:52 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1041423

registered interest
date	14/01/2019
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Non-domestic Rates
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much private (a) schools and (b) hospitals claimed in business rate relief in each of the last four years.
tabling member constituency	Hampstead and Kilburn
tabling member printed	Tulip Siddiq
uin	208389
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/01/2019 answer text <p>The Department does not collect information about the value of business rates reliefs split by type of business.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 18/01/2019 13:10:10 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	4518 label Biography information for Tulip Siddiq

1041455

registered interest
date	14/01/2019
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Local Government Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions has his Department has with the Local Government Association on funding for local authorities.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	208274
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2019 answer text <p>I met representatives from the Local Government Association on 9 January to discuss the 2019-20 provisional local government final settlement. Departmental Ministers maintain regular engagement with the Local Government Association on a range of issues.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 21/01/2019 14:13:16 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

1041573

registered interest
date	15/01/2019
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Telecommunications: Infrastructure
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, for what reason the rating assessment for unbundled local copper loops included a concession that was not available to fibre telecommunications infrastructure constructed before April 2017.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	208740
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2019 answer text <p>The Government has provided a new 100 per cent business rates relief for new fibre infrastructure for a five year period from 1 April 2017 to support the roll out of new fibre broadband infrastructure and future 5G communications to homes and businesses. The relief is provided to support telecom companies as they invest in their fibre network and, therefore, is not available on existing fibre constructed before 1 April 2017.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 21/01/2019 14:12:53 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

1041723

registered interest
date	15/01/2019
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Parking: Fines
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to protect vulnerable road users from inappropriate parking penalties in private car parks.
tabling member constituency	Redcar
tabling member printed	Anna Turley
uin	208929
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2019 answer text <p>The Government supports Sir Greg Knight's Private Members’ Bill, the Parking (Code of Practice) Bill, which seeks to create an independent code of practice for private parking companies and a single body for parking appeals. If a parking company was to repeatedly break this code, then their access to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) data would be blocked. This data includes information on the vehicle keeper, so a company blocked from accessing it would be unable to pursue parking charges. I spoke at the Bill’s Third Reading in the Commons to voice the Government’s support and it has now passed to the House of Lords.</p> answering member constituency Richmond (Yorks) answering member printed Rishi Sunak question first answered 21/01/2019 17:13:47 answering member 4483 label Biography information for Rishi Sunak
tabling member	4449 label Biography information for Anna Turley