Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label attachment file name title
tabling member	label

Search

65656

registered interest
date	03/07/2014
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	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department has issued on whether the landlord or tenant is responsible for the payment of council tax on the day that a tenancy ends.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	203889
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The hierarchy of liability for council tax is set out in Section 6 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. A resident tenant of a dwelling is higher in the hierarchy of liability than a non-resident owner. A tenant who has permanently vacated a property is not liable for council tax under local government finance legislation. Decisions on liability are a matter for billing authorities, and will depend on the particular circumstances of each case, such as whether the property is that person's sole or main residence, or whether there are other remaining residents.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>My Department has not issued specific guidance on this issue, however, our predecessor, the Department of the Environment, has previously done so. I have placed a copy of “Council tax practice note 2” in the Library of the House. It is a reflection of the prevailing legislation at that point in time; with that caveat, it is still guiding otherwise. Paragraph 7 deals with the determination of council tax on a daily basis and states that for liability purposes ‘The state of affairs at the end of any day is assumed to have lasted all that day.'</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis grouped question UIN 203890 question first answered 10/07/2014 13:55:33 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

65657

registered interest
date	03/07/2014
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	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department has issued on whether the landlord or tenant is responsible for the payment of council tax when a tenant leaves the property but fails to inform the landlord.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	203890
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The hierarchy of liability for council tax is set out in Section 6 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. A resident tenant of a dwelling is higher in the hierarchy of liability than a non-resident owner. A tenant who has permanently vacated a property is not liable for council tax under local government finance legislation. Decisions on liability are a matter for billing authorities, and will depend on the particular circumstances of each case, such as whether the property is that person's sole or main residence, or whether there are other remaining residents.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>My Department has not issued specific guidance on this issue, however, our predecessor, the Department of the Environment, has previously done so. I have placed a copy of “Council tax practice note 2” in the Library of the House. It is a reflection of the prevailing legislation at that point in time; with that caveat, it is still guiding otherwise. Paragraph 7 deals with the determination of council tax on a daily basis and states that for liability purposes ‘The state of affairs at the end of any day is assumed to have lasted all that day.'</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis grouped question UIN 203889 question first answered 10/07/2014 13:55:33 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

65660

registered interest
date	03/07/2014
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: Construction
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will (a) review and (b) amend or provide an exemption to the five-year housing land availability test for councils who have land on the proposed High Speed 2 rail route.
tabling member constituency	North East Derbyshire
tabling member printed	Natascha Engel
uin	203897
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>High Speed 2 provides the opportunity to be a significant catalyst for locally-led growth and regeneration at proposed station locations, with the potential to support new homes and new jobs, benefiting from the new high-speed connections. This is illustrated by how High Speed 1 has helped extend regeneration and growth across East London and Kent. The Government will in due course be responding to the High Speed 2 Growth Taskforce Report on how best to work with local councils and Local Enterprise Partnerships to seize the regeneration opportunities from the new line.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>This Government is a strong advocate of locally-led development. The Local Plan process helps councils shape where new development should and should not go. In that context, it does not make sense to exempt councils along the route from having an up to date Local Plan; councils should be in the driving seat to determine what it best for their local communities.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Grantham and Stamford answering member printed Nick Boles question first answered 10/07/2014 16:20:31 answering member 3995 label Biography information for Nick Boles
tabling member	1507 label Biography information for Natascha Engel

65662

registered interest
date	03/07/2014
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	Community Assets
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what recent steps he has taken to promote community rights under the Localism Act 2011.
tabling member constituency	Thirsk and Malton
tabling member printed	Miss Anne McIntosh
uin	203922
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>This Government wants to put communities in control; giving people more power to make decisions about their local area. The community rights are promoted through local, national and consumer press, broadcast media (tv and radio), ministerial visits, conferences, workshops and social media.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Over 1,200 assets of community value have been listed and we have helped 150 organisations to acquire a community asset or obtain significant investment towards doing so. More than 900 neighbourhood planning areas have been designated, and all 21 plans which have reached referendum so far have passed with significant majorities in favour. Our network of 50 neighbourhood planning champions host awareness raising events and provide informal local advice based upon their experiences to promote and support neighbourhood planning.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In March we ran two ‘Information Exchange' events focussed on the community rights for local councillors in Essex and Buckinghamshire and will be offering these out across the country. We are also running a series of workshops for local authorities focused on the Community Right to Bid and Asset Transfer.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>But the rights form just one part of the wider package of policies which drive our ‘communities in control' agenda.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We are supporting 21 local campaigns for new parish councils covering local populations of more than half a million people. Over 100 new Our Place areas are starting work within their communities to transform neighbourhood level service delivery. Community share issues have raised over £24 million for community ventures.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Over £60 million has been made available, across a number of different programmes, to help communities take more control of their areas. This encompasses grants, advice and professional expertise to use the community rights, setting up an Our Place area, campaigning for a new parish, supporting community pubs, promoting the use of community shares and empowering tenants to ensure their landlord provides the services they want.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bristol West answering member printed Stephen Williams question first answered 15/07/2014 14:29:34 answering member 1492 label Biography information for Stephen Williams attachment 1 file name 0298 McIntosh - Table.docx title Table
tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

65663

registered interest
date	03/07/2014
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	Emergency Services: Crimes of Violence
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to better protect emergency services from attacks by youths.
tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
tabling member printed	David Simpson
uin	203967
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>On 20 February 2007, the Emergency Workers (Obstruction) Act 2006 came into force. This Act, which specifically includes firefighters, makes it an offence to obstruct or hinder an emergency worker responding to emergency circumstances.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Fire and rescue authorities have in place various measures to engage with young people in their areas. While any attack on firefighters while carrying out their duties is one too many, the number of attacks in England continues to fall.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 10/07/2014 14:27:58 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

65667

registered interest
date	03/07/2014
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	Local Government: Tower Hamlets
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will place in the Library correspondence between his Department and the London Borough of Tower Hamlets relating to the frequency of publication of East End Life.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	203996
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Copies of correspondence, from myself and my officials, relating to the Secretary of State giving Tower Hamlets Council written notification of his intention to direct them to comply with the provisions of the Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity are available on my Department's web-site and can be found at:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/letter-to-tower-hamlets-council" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/letter-to-tower-hamlets-council</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We are currently considering the representations made following the Secretary of State's letter and will make a statement in due course.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 10/07/2014 15:28:37 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

65300

registered interest
date	02/07/2014
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	Private Rented Housing: Smoke Alarms
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many and what proportion of the respondents to his Department's Review of Property conditions in the Private Rented Sector issued in February 2014 supported the mandatory installation of smoke alarms in privately rented housing.
tabling member constituency	Greenwich and Woolwich
tabling member printed	Mr Nick Raynsford
uin	203564
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>DCLG published a discussion document earlier this year, which invited views on what more could be done to improve property conditions in the private rented sector. Responses are now being considered and we will publish our response along with a summary of the views submitted later this summer.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Kris Hopkins question first answered 09/07/2014 15:48:57 answering member 4043 label Biography information for Kris Hopkins
tabling member	171 label Biography information for Mr Nick Raynsford

65302

registered interest
date	02/07/2014
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	Fire Services: Pensions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to make formal proposals to end the ongoing dispute on firefighters' pensions based on the alternative costed options within the proposed cost ceiling which were released on 12 June 2014; and if he will make a statement on progress towards resolving that dispute.
tabling member constituency	Blaydon
tabling member printed	Mr David Anderson
uin	203610
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 1 July 2014, <em>Official Report</em>, column 610W. The consultation on the draft regulations has now concluded and it remains premature to pre-empt its outcome. Progress towards resolving this dispute remains entirely in the hands of the Fire Brigades Union.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Great Yarmouth answering member printed Brandon Lewis question first answered 10/07/2014 13:42:43 answering member 4009 label Biography information for Sir Brandon Lewis
tabling member	1486 label Biography information for Mr David Anderson

65303

registered interest
date	02/07/2014
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	Policy
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, at what level his Department values the reduction of risk of death per fatal casualty prevented; and if he will give an example of a policy intervention where this evaluation was made.
tabling member constituency	Eddisbury
tabling member printed	Mr Stephen O'Brien
uin	203611
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>When carrying out an appraisal my Department follows the principles set out in the HM Treasury's Green Book: Appraisal and Evaluation in Central Government. The Green Book includes guidance on how to value the prevention of fatalities and injuries. One of the approaches in the Green Book used by my Department is the Department for Transport's valuation of a fatality. The latest monetary value is publicly available on their website.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>An example of where this valuation has been applied is the recent changes to Part P Building Regulations covering electrical safety in dwellings. The Impact Assessment setting out the analysis is publicly available.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bristol West answering member printed Stephen Williams question first answered 10/07/2014 14:23:31 answering member 1492 label Biography information for Stephen Williams
tabling member	427 label Biography information for Mr Stephen O'Brien

65304

registered interest
date	02/07/2014
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	Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department gives on the weight to be given to areas of outstanding natural beauty when calculating housing need for the purpose of drawing up local plans; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Tewkesbury
tabling member printed	Mr Laurence Robertson
uin	203607
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>Local Plans prepared by democratically accountable councils working with their local communities are based on objectively assessed housing needs. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty have the highest status of protection in national planning policy in relation to landscape and scenic beauty, but they also contain living communities. Local authorities through their Local Plans are best placed to ensure communities in these areas are able to thrive alongside providing strong protection for these nationally important landscapes.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>National planning policy sets out that Local Plans should meet objectively assessed needs, unless specific policies such as the protection of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty indicate development should be restricted. Our recently published planning guidance also addresses Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and can be found at <a href="http://planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk/blog/guidance/natural-environment/landscape/" target="_blank">http://planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk/blog/guidance/natural-environment/landscape/</a>. Local authorities are also under a legal duty to cooperate in seeking to meet development requirements which cannot be wholly met within their own areas.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Grantham and Stamford answering member printed Nick Boles question first answered 07/07/2014 15:05:12 answering member 3995 label Biography information for Nick Boles
tabling member	253 label Biography information for Mr Laurence Robertson