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1181773

registered interest
date	02/03/2020
answering body	Leader of the House of Lords
answering dept id	92
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name	Leader of the House of Lords
hansard heading	House of Lords: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask the Leader of the House what steps she is taking to ensure that parliamentary business can continue in the event of movement restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL2035
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/03/2020 answer text <p>The Government has undertaken detailed work on COVID-19 with four strands: contain, delay, research and mitigate. Should there be a need to implement restrictions on movement then the Government, in consultation with the Usual Channels, will update the House on the next steps in relation to parliamentary business if there is a need to do so. While COVID-19 has the potential to spread extensively there is no reason to change parliamentary business at this stage. The Government is monitoring the situation closely and providing regular updates to parliament and the general public.</p> answering member printed Baroness Evans of Bowes Park question first answered 05/03/2020 14:41:40 answering member 4329 label Biography information for Baroness Evans of Bowes Park
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1254040

registered interest
date	19/11/2020
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: Elections
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of plans by the Welsh Government to allow councils to adopt the Single Transferable Vote system for local government elections; and whether they intend to introduce such powers for English councils.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL10500
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/12/2020 answer text <p>The Government does not intend to introduce such powers for English councils. This Government has made a commitment to continue to support the First Past the Post system of voting on a national and local level.</p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh question first answered 03/12/2020 15:32:37 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1259965

registered interest
date	09/12/2020
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	Vagrancy Act 1824
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the campaign by Crisis to repeal the Vagrancy Act 1824.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL11274
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2020 answer text <p>This is a complex issue and we know from our engagement with stakeholders that there are diverging views about the necessity and relevance of the Vagrancy Act. That is why the Government believes that a review is the right course of action and we are looking at all options including retention, repeal, replacement or amendment.</p><p>At the heart of the review will be the experiences and perceptions of a range of relevant stakeholders including the homelessness sector, the police, local authorities, business representatives, community groups and individuals with lived experience. This Government is aware of Crisis’ views on the Vagrancy Act and have engaged with them to inform the review of the Act . Work is ongoing and the Government will update on its findings in due course.</p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh question first answered 17/12/2020 15:56:45 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1275475

registered interest
date	11/01/2021
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	Building Safety Fund
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Building Safety Fund imposes restrictions on recipients communicating with journalists about repairs without prior written approval; and, if so, why.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL11960
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/01/2021 answer text <p>The building safety fund does not impose restrictions on leaseholders or residents in their private capacity as individual flat owners commenting on remediation projects or government policy. Funding agreements for the fund include a clause which is standard in commercial agreements between building owners and funders of construction of work which applies to communication with the media about the individual construction project. The clause applies to applicants to the fund who we expect to discuss with delivery partners in the first instance any queries about the remediation project or the funding agreement. We want a constructive working relationship with building owners who apply to the fund, which ensures that the Government’s provision of £1.6 billion of funding will make buildings safe for residents as swiftly as possible.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh question first answered 15/01/2021 13:07:56 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1275965

registered interest
date	12/01/2021
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	Armed Forces: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) how much money has been allocated in total to the COVID-19 Secure Marshal programme, (2) how many marshals have been employed, (3) for how long such marshals have been contracted to work, (4) in which local authorities those marshals are located, and (5) what assessment they have made of the impact of such marshals on the level of adherence to social distancing rules.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL12041
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/01/2021 answer text <p>In October last year, the Government announced £30 million of ringfenced grant funding to unitary and lower tier authorities to support COVID-19 compliance and enforcement activity. The funding can be used for a range of activity to encourage business, individual and community adherence to COVID-19 rules. It is ringfenced for any activity which will support compliance and enforcement of COVID-19 regulations guidance, including funding for COVID-19 Marshals or their equivalents such as stewards or ambassadors, thereby helping to control the spread of COVID-19 across individuals, businesses and in the community.</p><p>Local authorities are best placed to determine how best to use their grant allocations to encourage adherence to COVID-19 rules. To date, authorities have reported grant allocations have been used to recruit COVID-19 Marshals or their equivalents and for overtime costs of existing staff, staff training to work on COVID-19 compliance and communications activity to promote understanding of COVID-19 regulatory and guidance requirements. The Department has issued a request for all local authorities in receipt of the grant to report the activity funded and its impact.</p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh question first answered 25/01/2021 12:10:14 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1279526

registered interest
date	21/01/2021
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	Housing: Construction
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the report by the Economics Statistics Centre of Excellence Estimating the UK population during the pandemic, published on 14 January, what plans they have to adjust their plans for housing provision as a result of population changes following (1) the COVID-19 pandemic, and (2) the UK’s departure from the EU.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL12409
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2021 answer text <p>Following consultation in August 2020 on proposed changes to the standard method for assessing local housing need, it was apparent that certainty and stability are important for our local communities, local authorities, and developers, especially in light of the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In December, we therefore changed the method to focus greater need into authorities containing the largest proportion of the 20 most populated cities and urban centres in England, while other authorities saw no change compared to the previous method.</p><p>It is not yet clear what impact COVID-19 or our departure from the European Union will have on population estimates, if any. However, while we expect local authorities to plan, for a minimum period of 15 years, they can review their plans for housing during this period and must do so at least once every five years. This enables them to take into account changes in circumstances and to ensure policies remain effective.</p><p>As with all policies we will monitor the impact of the new standard method, including as any longer-term impact from changes to the way we live and work become clear. Our December announcement enables local areas to get on and plan based on a method and level of ambition that they are familiar with. This ensures that the planning system keeps moving, so it can play its full part in the economic recovery to come.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh question first answered 29/01/2021 14:31:34 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1179829

registered interest
date	24/02/2020
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 Plans: South Oxfordshire
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they expect South Oxfordshire District Council to take to improve its local plan.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL1708
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/03/2020 answer text <p>On 3 October 2019 South Oxfordshire District Council Cabinet recommended the withdrawal of the emerging South Oxfordshire local plan. On 9 October 2019 the Secretary of State directed South Oxfordshire District Council not to take any steps in connection with the adoption of the local plan, while he considers this matter. This direction remains in force.</p> answering member printed Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist question first answered 09/03/2020 16:56:19 answering member 4582 label Biography information for Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1191413

registered interest
date	28/04/2020
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	Sheltered Housing: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what support or funding they are giving to support sheltered-housing providers, including information, training, personal protective equipment and other provision to ensure the safety of staff and residents, particularly those who have difficulty understanding or complying with the Government’s COVID-19 advice and associated regulations; and whether they are considering introducing further measures in relation to supported-housing providers to address the COVID-19 epidemic.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL3593
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2020 answer text <p>The Government deeply values and applauds the hard work of supported and sheltered housing providers and workers in supporting vulnerable people across the country during this pandemic.</p><p>The Government has published guidance issued by Public Health England on working practices in supported living during the pandemic. This can be found (attached) at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fcovid-19-residential-care-supported-living-and-home-care-guidance%2Fcovid-19-guidance-for-supported-living-provision&amp;data=02%7C01%7CParliamentary%40communities.gov.uk%7C84121196412544fc853408d7f6515402%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C637248701462365976&amp;sdata=TcXbBAmuGAMayQ9LUGJ3axqASGCJPUjC5FydZSqKTWM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-residential-care-supported-living-and-home-care-guidance/covid-19-guidance-for-supported-living-provision</a></p><p>We have also given councils an additional £3.2 billion of funding so they can continue to provide essential services and support vulnerable people.</p><p>We have extended testing to all front line essential workers which includes those working in supported, extra-care, sheltered and retirement housing, and we have provided additional supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) to Local Resilience Forums (LRFs) for local distribution to a broad range of essential front line workers.</p><p>For those supported and retirement housing residents who may be shielding, the Government is helping shielding individuals who request our support with free deliveries of weekly parcels of food and household essentials, help with delivery of medicines, and help with social contact and basic needs.</p><p>My Department continues to engage regularly with sector stakeholders.</p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh question first answered 13/05/2020 14:59:02 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh attachment 1 file name 200512 COVID-19_ guidance for supported living provision - GOV.UK - HL3593.pdf title Residential care and home care guidance
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1195345

registered interest
date	12/05/2020
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: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to assist councils to provide safe toilet facilities at beaches, parks and other leisure facilities as the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions are eased.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL4348
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/05/2020 answer text <p>The government has published guidance on safer public spaces. It includes advice, information and examples of the potential interventions that can be used in public places to facilitate social distancing in areas of higher footfall such as in parks (attached). <a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fguidance%2Fsafer-public-places-urban-centres-and-green-spaces-covid-19&amp;data=02%7C01%7CLGPCovid19%40communities.gov.uk%7C1ab8c00d8eb0465f7eba08d7f8b61519%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C637251333229821785&amp;sdata=j0iUO14s30DiRJJWGlEZe3pbYuYgFTn0xGeSRXIxY1E%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/safer-public-places-urban-centres-and-green-spaces-covid-19</a></p><p>Owners and operators are advised to implement cleaning protocols to limit coronavirus transmission in public places. It is advised that touch points (e.g. handrails and gates) should be particular areas of focus for increased cleaning.</p><p>To help everyone maintain good hygiene, consideration should be given to: configuration of toilet facilities to ensure they are kept clean, with social distancing achieved as far as possible and with best practice handwashing followed; where possible, providing hand towels as an alternative to hand dryers in handwashing facilities; signs at public toilets for queuing, social distancing and automatic sanitising; using signs and messages to build awareness of good handwashing technique and other respiratory hygiene behaviours, e.g. around coughing and sneezing in public places; where possible, providing hand towels as an alternative to hand dryers in handwashing facilities; and queue marking indicators at main entrance, popular park destinations and toilets.</p><p>We have now made £3.2 billion available to local authorities through an un-ringfenced grant so they can address pressures they are facing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The package recognises the additional costs and pressures on finances councils are facing as a result of the current crisis. It demonstrates the Government’s commitment to making sure councils, including upper and lower tier authorities, have the resources they need to support their communities through this challenging time.</p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh question first answered 27/05/2020 11:22:27 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh attachment 1 file name 200527 Guidance_Safer_Public_Places_During_Covid - HL4348.pdf title Safer public places guidance
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1195346

registered interest
date	12/05/2020
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	Tourism: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what guidance they are providing to local councils on opening car parking facilities, particularly in tourist areas that might see large influxes of visitors as the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions are eased.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL4349
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/05/2020 answer text <p>In line with the Government’s position on localism, parking is the responsibility of local authorities and it is for them to determine what is appropriate in their own area. However, central government does have an interest in how car parks are managed and is working closely with local government stakeholders to keep parking policies and guidance under review during the COVID-19 response.</p><p>We have recently published guidance on Safer Public Places, which includes recommendations for the adaptation and management of urban centres and green spaces to facilitate social distancing.</p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh question first answered 27/05/2020 13:15:59 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle