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100568

registered interest
date	22/10/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Homelessness
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the findings of the recent research by Crisis into the treatment of single homeless people by local authorities in England.
tabling member printed	Baroness King of Bow
uin	HL2305
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/10/2014 answer text <p>This Government is committed to preventing and tackling homelessness. We have increased homelessness prevention spending, making over £500 million available since 2010 to local authorities and the voluntary sector to help the most vulnerable in society. <br> <br> We are improving services through the new £8 million Help for Single Homeless Fund. This will enable local authorities, working with local partners such as the health and probation services, to better tackle and prevent single homelessness. <br> <br> We are helping single homeless people find and sustain accommodation in the private rented sector through our £13 million funding to Crisis. By 2016 we expect the Crisis scheme to have helped 10,000 single homeless people since it started in 2010. <br> <br> We are continuing to tackle and prevent rough sleeping. Thousands of vulnerable people have been helped off the streets through the No Second Night Out and Streetlink initiatives. £20 million funding has been made available to the voluntary sector through the Homelessness Transition Fund which has helped No Second Night Out schemes across the country. There have been 18,000 Streetlink referrals since December 2012.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 29/10/2014 15:17:28 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	143 label Biography information for Baroness King of Bow

93677

registered interest
date	15/10/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Wind Power
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps are being taken to protect Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Sites of Specific Scientific Interest from wind turbine development.
tabling member printed	Lord Browne of Belmont
uin	HL2106
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/10/2014 answer text <p>The National Planning Policy Framework sets out strong protection for the natural environment and valued landscapes and is clear that planning applications for renewable energy should only be approved if the impact is, or can be made, acceptable. In addition our planning guidance makes clear that the need for renewable energy does not automatically override environmental protection and the planning concerns of local communities.</p><p> </p><p>Under the National Planning Policy Framework Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty have the highest status of protection in relation to landscape and scenic beauty. Strong planning protection also applies to Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Development on land within or outside such sites which is likely to have an adverse effect on the site, either individually or in combination, should not normally be permitted.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 24/10/2014 11:33:49 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	3801 label Biography information for Lord Browne of Belmont

93403

registered interest
date	14/10/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Council Tax
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment has been made of the impact of the levying of council tax on low income households, both on local authorities in collecting such charges and on households unable to pay.
tabling member printed	Lord Ouseley
uin	HL2069
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2014 answer text <p>The provision of support for low-income council taxpayers, as well as decisions on collection and enforcement, are matters for local authorities. It is for them to ensure that the effect of local schemes on specific groups of council taxpayers is proportionate and fair.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We issued guidance to councils last year to provide more protection for people against aggressive bailiffs and other unreasonable practices. This is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/council-tax</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon grouped question UIN HL2070 HL2071 question first answered 22/10/2014 15:41:31 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	2170 label Biography information for Lord Ouseley

93404

registered interest
date	14/10/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Council Tax
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimates have been made of the amount of money local authorities would need to find to retain discounts for those low income households which have failed to date to pay the council tax demanded of them.
tabling member printed	Lord Ouseley
uin	HL2070
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2014 answer text <p>The provision of support for low-income council taxpayers, as well as decisions on collection and enforcement, are matters for local authorities. It is for them to ensure that the effect of local schemes on specific groups of council taxpayers is proportionate and fair.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We issued guidance to councils last year to provide more protection for people against aggressive bailiffs and other unreasonable practices. This is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/council-tax</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon grouped question UIN HL2069 HL2071 question first answered 22/10/2014 15:41:32 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	2170 label Biography information for Lord Ouseley

93405

registered interest
date	14/10/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Council Tax
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration has been given to supporting low income households facing debt, repossession or bankruptcy over unpaid council tax following reductions in council tax benefit.
tabling member printed	Lord Ouseley
uin	HL2071
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2014 answer text <p>The provision of support for low-income council taxpayers, as well as decisions on collection and enforcement, are matters for local authorities. It is for them to ensure that the effect of local schemes on specific groups of council taxpayers is proportionate and fair.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We issued guidance to councils last year to provide more protection for people against aggressive bailiffs and other unreasonable practices. This is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/council-tax</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon grouped question UIN HL2069 HL2070 question first answered 22/10/2014 15:41:32 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	2170 label Biography information for Lord Ouseley

92788

registered interest
date	13/10/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Coastal Areas: Regeneration
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they assess the success of their 2010 "Strategy for seaside success"; and whether they have further proposals in this field.
tabling member printed	Lord Myners
uin	HL2024
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2014 answer text <p>The Strategy was issued by the last Government and called on third parties to do something about the challenges facing coastal towns. In contrast to this top-down strategy which relied on distant and unaccountable regional government to facilitate ideas, we have focused on empowering local communities.</p><p> </p><p>This Government recognises the economic and social challenges faced by coastal and seaside communities and is committed to making them better places to live, work and visit. That is why we set up the Coastal Communities Fund. This has provided £62 million in grants to 114 projects across UK, levering in £96 million of other funding and delivering over 8,600 jobs, 3,300 training places and over 400 new business start-ups.</p><p> </p><p>We have given communities the means to take control and act in the best interests of their local area through a wide toolkit of powers, options and incentives to help drive growth and jobs. As part of the Growth Deals announced in July we have committed over £500 million to projects put forward by Local Enterprise Partnerships to improve economic competitiveness in coastal areas and, also in July, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Penny Mordaunt) was appointed Minister for Coastal Communities, to help them realise their potential and build a sustainable future for themselves.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 22/10/2014 15:38:36 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	3869 label Biography information for Lord Myners

91844

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Housing Revenue Accounts: Tower Hamlets
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government why they rejected two of the bids made by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets for additional borrowing headroom under the Local Growth Fund Housing Revenue Account Borrowing Programme 2015–17.
tabling member printed	Baroness King of Bow
uin	HL1902
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/10/2014 answer text <p>On 9 October, my Department announced £122 million of additional Housing Revenue Account borrowing to support over 1,700 new homes across twenty two local authorities. This included two of the four bids submitted by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Of the two approved bids, the total additional headroom amounts to over £8 million supporting almost 50 homes. The Department has not approved two of their bids where they did not meet the Housing Revenue Account Borrowing Programme's clearly stated aims to drive down costs and to support bids with lower public sector costs. The Department gave Tower Hamlets the opportunity to revise their bid which was not taken up by the local authority.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 14/10/2014 13:44:52 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	143 label Biography information for Baroness King of Bow

91845

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Housing Revenue Accounts
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government which local authorities bid for additional borrowing headroom under the Local Growth Fund Housing Revenue Account Borrowing Programme 2015–17; what were the values of those bids; and how many new homes were involved.
tabling member printed	Baroness King of Bow
uin	HL1903
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/10/2014 answer text <p>On 9 October 2014 the Government announced £122 million of additional Housing Revenue Account borrowing to support over 1,700 new affordable homes and local growth across twenty two local authorities.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The attached table details all the local authorities who bid for additional borrowing headroom.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 14/10/2014 13:54:39 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon attachment 1 file name 141013 PQ350202 Baroness King of Bow table.docx title table - local authorities who bid for borrowing
tabling member	143 label Biography information for Baroness King of Bow

91846

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Council Tax
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what factors caused the reduced collection rate of Council Tax in England in 2013–14.
tabling member printed	Baroness King of Bow
uin	HL1904
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2014 answer text <p>Council tax collection rates have not substantially changed, as illustrated by this table, which lists average collection rates over the last ten years.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><em>Average collection rate in England</em></p></td><td><p><em>%</em></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2004-05</p></td><td><p>96.6</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2005-06</p></td><td><p>96.8</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2006-07</p></td><td><p>96.9</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2007-08</p></td><td><p>97.1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2008-09</p></td><td><p>97.0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009-10</p></td><td><p>97.1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>97.3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>97.3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>97.4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>97.0</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>There were a number of factors which may have influenced the collection rates in 2013-14, which are explained in the statistical release published in July, which I have placed in the Library of the House. Historical figures can also be found on Table 4 of the release on the level of arrears.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>I also have placed in the Library a table showing the total council tax arrears as of 31 March 2014 for each billing authority in England; to assist public scrutiny, the table also includes total arrears per dwelling and the in-year council tax collection rate. The worst council in England is Liverpool with £450 of arrears per dwelling; the best is Amber Valley with just £14 per dwelling.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Department’s best practice document, “50 ways to save”, listed improving council tax collection rates and reducing arrears as a key way of making sensible savings to help keep overall council tax bills down and protect frontline services. Every penny of council tax that is not collected means a higher council tax for the law-abiding citizen who does pay on time.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>It is important that councils are sympathetic to those in genuine hardship, are proportionate in enforcement and do not overuse bailiffs (and we have published guidance for councils to stop unjustified, aggressive collection practices). However, these figures show that there is a significant potential source of income which councils across the country could use to support frontline service or freeze council tax bills next year.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon attachment 1 file name Council_tax_collection_rate_Statistics July2014 PQ 350200-01.pdf title council Tax Stats Release July 2014 2 file name Total arrears Arrears per Dwellings and collection rates PQ350200-01.xlsx title council tax arrears grouped question UIN HL1905 question first answered 22/10/2014 16:49:26 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	143 label Biography information for Baroness King of Bow

91847

registered interest
date	26/09/2014
answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Council Tax
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were the average Council Tax arrears per dwelling in England in each year since 2010.
tabling member printed	Baroness King of Bow
uin	HL1905
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/10/2014 answer text <p>Council tax collection rates have not substantially changed, as illustrated by this table, which lists average collection rates over the last ten years.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><em>Average collection rate in England</em></p></td><td><p><em>%</em></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2004-05</p></td><td><p>96.6</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2005-06</p></td><td><p>96.8</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2006-07</p></td><td><p>96.9</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2007-08</p></td><td><p>97.1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2008-09</p></td><td><p>97.0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009-10</p></td><td><p>97.1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>97.3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>97.3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>97.4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>97.0</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>There were a number of factors which may have influenced the collection rates in 2013-14, which are explained in the statistical release published in July, which I have placed in the Library of the House. Historical figures can also be found on Table 4 of the release on the level of arrears.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>I also have placed in the Library a table showing the total council tax arrears as of 31 March 2014 for each billing authority in England; to assist public scrutiny, the table also includes total arrears per dwelling and the in-year council tax collection rate. The worst council in England is Liverpool with £450 of arrears per dwelling; the best is Amber Valley with just £14 per dwelling.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Department’s best practice document, “50 ways to save”, listed improving council tax collection rates and reducing arrears as a key way of making sensible savings to help keep overall council tax bills down and protect frontline services. Every penny of council tax that is not collected means a higher council tax for the law-abiding citizen who does pay on time.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>It is important that councils are sympathetic to those in genuine hardship, are proportionate in enforcement and do not overuse bailiffs (and we have published guidance for councils to stop unjustified, aggressive collection practices). However, these figures show that there is a significant potential source of income which councils across the country could use to support frontline service or freeze council tax bills next year.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon attachment 1 file name Council_tax_collection_rate_Statistics July2014 PQ 350200-01.pdf title council Tax Stats Release July 2014 2 file name Total arrears Arrears per Dwellings and collection rates PQ350200-01.xlsx title council tax arrears grouped question UIN HL1904 question first answered 22/10/2014 16:49:29 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	143 label Biography information for Baroness King of Bow