Live Communities and Local Government Questions

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:00:07. > :00:14.Good afternoon and welcome to BBC Parliament live coverage of the

:00:15. > :00:18.comments. The Labour chairm`n of the home affairs committee will be

:00:19. > :00:22.asking and urgent question `bout apparent flaws in the calculations

:00:23. > :00:28.used to determine the new police funding formula. For police forces

:00:29. > :00:33.in England and Wales, policd crime commissioner says the process was in

:00:34. > :00:36.shambles. The main business and the chamber of comments today is

:00:37. > :00:46.continued detailed debate on the Scotland bill. Don't forget to join

:00:47. > :00:49.us in both houses of parlialent at 11 o'clock tonight. First is

:00:50. > :00:56.questions to the community secretary and his team.

:00:57. > :01:03.Thank you Mr Speaker, decishons on the cost of reorganizing fire

:01:04. > :01:08.stations are a matter for local fire and rescue authorities. Needless to

:01:09. > :01:12.say I would expect any reorganizations to save public money

:01:13. > :01:16.rather than cost more. I am very grateful to the Secretary of State

:01:17. > :01:24.for that answer, would thesd fire authority have given up to houses to

:01:25. > :01:31.give up to the authority for less viable pieces of land for them to

:01:32. > :01:33.build a new fire station on the There are budgetary pressurds and

:01:34. > :01:41.they are tossing away the tdn thousands of pounds. Should we make

:01:42. > :01:44.sure that we know what the violations of these lands are so

:01:45. > :01:50.that we can see for ourselvds what the impact is for taxpayers? Before

:01:51. > :01:54.I answer the question can I pay tribute to all firefighters for

:01:55. > :01:58.their hard work on bonfire night last Thursday in over the wdekend.

:01:59. > :02:05.Can I say how proud I was to meet firefighters and other membdrs of

:02:06. > :02:09.the civilian services. In the 7 th anniversary of the Battle of Britain

:02:10. > :02:13.we remember the firefighters who were killed in the 7000 who were

:02:14. > :02:17.injured of defending us durhng the last war. For the question, I am

:02:18. > :02:23.very concerned about what hd has been. I will ask the chief fire and

:02:24. > :02:27.rescue advisor who has the powers of and inspector to meet with him to

:02:28. > :02:36.understand his concerns and advise me on the next steps. I would like

:02:37. > :02:39.to thank the Secretary of State for his response and also I would like

:02:40. > :02:44.to pay tribute to the wonderful work that our firefighters do kedping us

:02:45. > :02:50.all safe, particularly on occasions as we houses had recently whth

:02:51. > :02:55.bonfire night. We are extrelely concerned about the forthcoling

:02:56. > :03:02.round of court. My honourable friend has highlighted a major concern

:03:03. > :03:05.Isn't the Secretary of Statd a guilty of putting ideology before

:03:06. > :03:12.public safety in the Shiplex, Yorkshire and beyond? I would say

:03:13. > :03:20.that my friend is a friend of hers as well. Is a very popular lember of

:03:21. > :03:26.this House. These are the proposal that are locally given. As H say,

:03:27. > :03:31.his concern is that they max not be saving money. Any organisathon has

:03:32. > :03:36.to save public money not le`st because we do need to have value for

:03:37. > :03:43.public money. Fire and rescte authorities have had a good record

:03:44. > :03:49.in achieving that. Talking `bout Yorkshire, it would make sense for

:03:50. > :03:53.the police service and fire stations to go to a joint site. What would my

:03:54. > :03:58.honourable friend do to encourage them to take joint sites. There is a

:03:59. > :04:03.consultation that is out at the moment looking at ways in which the

:04:04. > :04:07.blue light services can co-ordinate with each other so that thex can

:04:08. > :04:18.provide the best service to our residents. Number two Mr Spdaker. Mr

:04:19. > :04:23.Speaker, Sheffield's devolution deal with the elected mail to thd

:04:24. > :04:30.nightmare will allow them to strengthen their decision. The

:04:31. > :04:33.question of a wider democratic oversight raised by the honourable

:04:34. > :04:37.member as my honourable fridnd told the house during the recent

:04:38. > :04:46.committee stage of the devolution Bill. Can I commend all those

:04:47. > :04:50.involved including the Minister in attempting to achieve a polhtical

:04:51. > :04:54.consensus which has been difficult and complicated situation. We are

:04:55. > :05:03.left with the situation will be playing Chesterfield will h`ve a

:05:04. > :05:06.third tier of government. C`n the Secretary of State to continue to

:05:07. > :05:11.work to achieve clarity for democratic accountability alongside

:05:12. > :05:20.the thinks he is rightly sedking? I am grateful for the honourable

:05:21. > :05:24.gentleman question to this hssue. No place is identical which is the very

:05:25. > :05:28.insight that we are having. We are having deals in each place. It is

:05:29. > :05:33.important for his constituents and others to feel that they have enough

:05:34. > :05:38.say in the election of people who will provide leadership for them.

:05:39. > :05:43.Can be Secretary of State s`y just how flexible he is on the boundaries

:05:44. > :05:48.of certain cities to allow certain districts who may be in one area,

:05:49. > :05:52.who preferred to be in a different area to be in a new area? The

:05:53. > :05:58.principle that runs throughout the devolution bill that we havd been

:05:59. > :06:04.debating is one of consensus. So, the bill gives me the powers to give

:06:05. > :06:10.effect to the local people put forward. But not to impose something

:06:11. > :06:15.against their will. It is in enabling piece of legislation. What

:06:16. > :06:20.it does mean, is that members such as themselves and others have the

:06:21. > :06:23.chance to shape that debate locally. Can I take the Secretary of State

:06:24. > :06:25.for that helpful response. H am sure he would like

:06:26. > :06:33.if the freeze and will be successful, all those within it must

:06:34. > :06:39.have a right to join the colbined authority. If we will have ` elected

:06:40. > :06:44.mayor responsible for transport everybody in that area should be

:06:45. > :06:50.participating in the vote for that mayor. He made some very good points

:06:51. > :06:54.during the committee stage for the bill, my honourable friend has

:06:55. > :06:58.committed to reflecting on those remarks. It has been my expdrience

:06:59. > :07:04.that when taking bills to this house, to accept the good sdnse of

:07:05. > :07:10.members from all sides, if we can improve the bill by listening to

:07:11. > :07:16.them than we certainly will. Thank you Mr Speaker. The minister says he

:07:17. > :07:22.wants devolution for Sheffidld. But to secure this end, he must first

:07:23. > :07:26.know the means. Unlike many of the ministers Mr Speaker, he has said

:07:27. > :07:32.already without a fight the ideological to cut government to the

:07:33. > :07:41.ground and Chesterfield and elsewhere. Is it not therefore the

:07:42. > :07:46.case that despite all of his fine words he would allow the trdasury to

:07:47. > :07:51.strangle full-blown devoluthon in these places and elsewhere? Mr

:07:52. > :07:57.Speaker, the two secretary of treasury is drawn beyond thd front

:07:58. > :08:04.bench. He looks like a pretty benign individual to me. Sadly for the

:08:05. > :08:08.honourable gentleman, he has it wrong. The agreement that I have

:08:09. > :08:12.reached with the chief secrdtary today, has been for my department

:08:13. > :08:18.budget not the budget for local authorities. And in my view in his

:08:19. > :08:21.right to lead from the font and to make savings, significant s`vings in

:08:22. > :08:24.the running course of my department before I invite local counchls do

:08:25. > :08:37.the same. Thank you Mr Speaker, significant

:08:38. > :08:42.progress has been made up over the last few years. Speeding up the

:08:43. > :08:49.plumbing system so and so that there were 242,000 homes given pl`nning

:08:50. > :08:54.permission. The housing and planning billable further improve pl`nning

:08:55. > :08:59.across the country. House-btilding is a key element for economhc growth

:09:00. > :09:02.plan. Will be a minister john me in the congratulating the Council for

:09:03. > :09:09.increasing the number of new homes built in recent years. I thhnk my

:09:10. > :09:15.honourable friend for the point he has made a. I am very happy to think

:09:16. > :09:19.he and his local authority for programmes and probe housing

:09:20. > :09:21.approach. It is good to the local areas and local housing comd

:09:22. > :09:26.together and working out on what the needs are and making sure they are

:09:27. > :09:30.providing for their residents. Mr Speaker, when will the Minister wake

:09:31. > :09:33.up to the fact that so many people in this country are desperate for a

:09:34. > :09:42.home, destined for a home, destined for house, can we stop blamhng

:09:43. > :09:47.planning and go to leadershhp. It is supposed to be a new town. There are

:09:48. > :09:53.a tiny number of homes. Why is it not finding and why are there not

:09:54. > :10:02.new homes? I think the honotrable Johnson man for his support. I am

:10:03. > :10:04.very proud that this Governlent and his time Fleur has the monex for the

:10:05. > :10:11.infrastructure to see those homes getting billed. I support mx

:10:12. > :10:16.district council and their desire to deliver thousands of new holes. With

:10:17. > :10:21.the Minister be willing to support ideas and planning, such as

:10:22. > :10:24.requiring developers to pay monies from the point of planning

:10:25. > :10:32.permission being granted? I am always willing to look at the idea.

:10:33. > :10:35.The one challenge for the community infrastructure levy is that it is a

:10:36. > :10:39.levy that the local authorities bring together to use and the

:10:40. > :10:41.authorities. It's one challdnge for the community infrastructurd levy is

:10:42. > :10:44.that it is a levy that the local authorities bring together to use

:10:45. > :10:51.and the authorities. It will I look for to speaking with him on his

:10:52. > :10:55.views. There is a chronic shortages and a good planners as the Linister

:10:56. > :11:02.knows Has he any real soluthon for that problem? I actually thhnk the

:11:03. > :11:07.honourable so-and-so makes ` good point. They should be seeing them as

:11:08. > :11:11.the heartbeat of economic regeneration for the communhty in

:11:12. > :11:14.terms of designing and for businesses and homes in the future.

:11:15. > :11:22.I would encourage local authorities to work together, as they h`ve done.

:11:23. > :11:27.But not so much as planning, I think it is a good step to go in `nd in a

:11:28. > :11:34.good strong resource. Community and business leaders are concerned with

:11:35. > :11:39.the lack of the housing supplies. Housing development is overriding

:11:40. > :11:45.the designation of a much ldad is land for employment. The government

:11:46. > :11:50.has 45 million pounds to help promote jobs and growth. Will the

:11:51. > :11:54.Minister speak with me and community representatives to discuss this I

:11:55. > :11:59.would encourage my honourable friend to get there local planning plays as

:12:00. > :12:02.local policemen quickly as possible to make sure that the residdnts have

:12:03. > :12:09.the boys and protection that is right for them. They will look at

:12:10. > :12:13.environmental constraints and other policy constraint in that area as

:12:14. > :12:20.well, but I am very happy to meet with her and her local council?

:12:21. > :12:30.Thank you Mr Speaker, with permission housing starts h`ve

:12:31. > :12:36.doubled since 2009. A lot of homes have been built since 2010. Trance

:12:37. > :12:44.and house building are publhshed in the quarterly house building

:12:45. > :12:48.release? I am keen to see houses being built and my constitudncy I

:12:49. > :12:57.want it built and industrial sites rather than the green belt. Would

:12:58. > :13:08.the Minister look at the possibility of this having thousands of more

:13:09. > :13:11.homes? They're the plan a bhll that creates new zones for the Bromfield

:13:12. > :13:16.register and Andy the Brownsville fund which the government whll be

:13:17. > :13:21.putting ?1 billion into. Wotld be welcoming of increase of thd number

:13:22. > :13:25.of planning increase, with the ministers say what success he has

:13:26. > :13:30.made of the number of developers who aren't getting the planning rather

:13:31. > :13:38.than failing to develop and land banking. We do want to see planning

:13:39. > :13:47.being built out. We still h`ve a long way to go. It takes about 0

:13:48. > :13:51.weeks to build a home. Modern technology can build and a couple of

:13:52. > :13:56.weeks. Local authorities have to look at the land they are ghven

:13:57. > :14:10.permission for to make sure that the new plan can be viable and build out

:14:11. > :14:14.and real-time. The government and Right to Buy Zelda as the Mhnister

:14:15. > :14:26.has said, will they be incrdasing the Right to Buy. But only 300 will

:14:27. > :14:30.achieve in the first quarter of the year. Would he agree with md it is

:14:31. > :14:36.time that the Scottish government has a new record for counsel

:14:37. > :14:41.houses? Here in England, and there are more counsel houses in the last

:14:42. > :14:47.couple of years. We are verx ambitious for the housing

:14:48. > :14:51.programme. We have made no `pologies about being ambition is abott having

:14:52. > :14:59.one or more extra homes built. We are our target in London. I am

:15:00. > :15:03.acutely aware of the diffictlties of getting onto the proper of the

:15:04. > :15:07.property ladder. I have also been struggling to get onto the property

:15:08. > :15:12.ladder for the last 10 euros due to the lack of housing that was built

:15:13. > :15:18.under the 13 years of labour. Will he therefore join me and

:15:19. > :15:23.understanding what the council is doing and building 7000 new homes.

:15:24. > :15:28.2003 of those homes will be affordable. How will this bdnefit my

:15:29. > :15:36.local authority? My honourable friend makes a very good pohnt. I

:15:37. > :15:40.would say to him, yes it is true. I do not think anybody in this house

:15:41. > :15:48.would argue with the fact that this country has built a far too less

:15:49. > :15:54.homes for far too long. He should look at the starter home programmes

:15:55. > :16:02.who we'll be building 200,000 homes for first-time buyers at a discount.

:16:03. > :16:06.Paes dear Mr Speaker, the government believes that there is a strong case

:16:07. > :16:15.for local areas to be able to decide if and where this should be

:16:16. > :16:19.permitted. Thank you Secret`ry of State. Are you aware that extending

:16:20. > :16:24.Sunday opening hours by just two hours and London will have ` very

:16:25. > :16:33.positive effect on employment and trade? By mac what steps can you

:16:34. > :16:38.take to consider allowing ddvolution for the Mayor of London, thd other

:16:39. > :16:47.metro mayors or lending councils following on from the success of

:16:48. > :16:51.this in the Olympics in 2012. The Low I am aware of this studx that my

:16:52. > :16:59.honourable friend refers to. Up to 50% of the visitors from thd West

:17:00. > :17:04.and our visitors from oversdas. I think it is sensible to havd

:17:05. > :17:09.arrangements that they can be able to do that. And of course bding a

:17:10. > :17:15.central London MP, her residents will benefit from this. Will the

:17:16. > :17:19.Minister look at this again, and extending Sunday trading wh`t have a

:17:20. > :17:26.effect on family life as it already does. And will adversely affect many

:17:27. > :17:30.trade unionists who live in market towns and health well because the

:17:31. > :17:35.protections which will be afforded to workers on Sunday, art themselves

:17:36. > :17:39.as protection is succeeding very well. Love the Minister look at this

:17:40. > :17:43.again and decide not to extdnded? What I would say to the honourable

:17:44. > :17:51.gentleman is that there is ` consultation that is out on this at

:17:52. > :17:53.the moment. The proposal on the consultation is to allow local

:17:54. > :18:04.councils to make those decisions. Councils do have looking after their

:18:05. > :18:09.resident. It could be areas, or particular stores, garden cdntres

:18:10. > :18:14.come to mind. Allowing them to open on their busiest day, Sundax is in

:18:15. > :18:20.the interest of everyone in that area. I think it is a good case for

:18:21. > :18:25.the devolution. Isn't he julping the gun when the Constitution h`s yet to

:18:26. > :18:31.be published. It was 12 pagds long, close seven weeks ago, now we have

:18:32. > :18:37.eight days where the plan is to him and it. On reviving their rhsk of

:18:38. > :18:43.aggravating small businesses and shop workers, families, and charges

:18:44. > :18:51.without great material game? We have not published the risk of the

:18:52. > :18:54.consultation yet. Having thhs power and the hands of local authorities

:18:55. > :18:59.will be consistent with the devolution that we have practiced.

:19:00. > :19:05.We will respond to the constltation in due course. My honourabld friend

:19:06. > :19:14.has sincerely held views on this and we will reflect them. Thank you very

:19:15. > :19:18.much Mr Speaker, the Secret`ry of State has concerns about many

:19:19. > :19:22.organisations and the implications for shop workers, pay and

:19:23. > :19:29.conditions. Can you give those workers and he? I am very strprised

:19:30. > :19:36.at the question from the honourable Lady. The Sunday trading has been

:19:37. > :19:41.regulated in Scotland. As f`r as I know, it is without problems. If it

:19:42. > :19:46.does get problems, I think the honourable Lady is the partx of

:19:47. > :19:53.government and Scotland has the authorities to do something about

:19:54. > :20:02.it. On the contrary, there `re provisions on this. Can he sure that

:20:03. > :20:05.there will be no impact on Scottish workers paying conditions as a

:20:06. > :20:11.result of the decisions of Dnglish local authorities? I think the risk

:20:12. > :20:17.of jumping the gun in the w`y that my honourable friend has sahd. We

:20:18. > :20:20.have published a consultation proposal, it does not effect

:20:21. > :20:25.Scotland because it is a default up our. We want to make sure that

:20:26. > :20:30.workers do have protection so that they are not obliged to work for the

:20:31. > :20:33.first time on Sunday if thex do not wish to, or to be compelled to

:20:34. > :20:41.extend their hours, that will make complete sense.

:20:42. > :20:46.Thank you Mr Speaker, plannhng authorities that have introduced new

:20:47. > :20:51.ways of delivering planning services have sold that performance can be

:20:52. > :20:57.improved by reducing costs. I will hope that more will follow their

:20:58. > :21:01.lead. We are open to supporting planning authorities and delivering

:21:02. > :21:07.ambitious proposals to devolution bills. Will my honourable friend

:21:08. > :21:11.accept that shared services can lead to cost services and the grdater

:21:12. > :21:15.efficiency. What can be dond about both local authorities who

:21:16. > :21:18.consistently fail to meet their timetables for taking plannhng

:21:19. > :21:22.decisions which hold up the development of new housing `nd

:21:23. > :21:25.economic growth? My honourable friend is right to highlight local

:21:26. > :21:28.authorities who did not plax their part and correct a problem hn

:21:29. > :21:33.itself. I would hope the local authorities will be keen to deliver

:21:34. > :21:41.the house and their 20s need. He has the advantage. As I know from my own

:21:42. > :21:45.experience, it is clear that local authorities who shared servhces not

:21:46. > :21:50.only can make sure that thex protect and improve front-line servhces such

:21:51. > :21:57.as planning services, they can see savings as much as 20%. Manx local

:21:58. > :22:05.authorities including my old do a lot of work, but the fact mdans that

:22:06. > :22:09.they have difficulty for medting request. Can I ask the Minister when

:22:10. > :22:16.does he think it will reach a point where service will be delivdred I

:22:17. > :22:21.would say to the buzz of thd men, if you look around the country,

:22:22. > :22:26.councils have not gone very far they shared services across. If you

:22:27. > :22:29.look at some of the areas and the small district councils comhng

:22:30. > :22:34.together with one strong pl`nning is not just about being cost effective

:22:35. > :22:46.but having quality service. It is interesting work. Thank you Mr

:22:47. > :22:51.speaker,, it would take another 20 months to introduce this. Could he

:22:52. > :22:55.use his good offices to havd a word with the Council and the av`ilable

:22:56. > :22:59.they will co-operate more closely with their neighbours to produce a

:23:00. > :23:03.plan more quickly? My honourable friend makes a good point.

:23:04. > :23:10.Devolution gives opportunitx as well. He is right to make stre that

:23:11. > :23:14.local plan is in place for the best interest of local communitids. Of

:23:15. > :23:25.course as we have said, the government will make sure that this

:23:26. > :23:31.will be done for 2017. Thank you Mr Speaker. All over England,

:23:32. > :23:35.communities have listed over 26 0 assets for local authorities. I am

:23:36. > :23:43.undertaking a review for thd manifesto commitment. We will report

:23:44. > :23:48.on the findings soon. Thank you Mr Speaker, the Scottish community act

:23:49. > :23:53.passed in June by the Scotthsh Parliament decentralise this hub

:23:54. > :23:59.bodies and gives them properties to communities. We are wondering if the

:24:00. > :24:05.Minister will follow the be`t of the Scottish government? Thank xou Mr

:24:06. > :24:10.Speaker, I think in many waxs the honourable gentleman party hs

:24:11. > :24:16.following the leader from otr party and the localism act of 2012. I

:24:17. > :24:21.think he needs to consider the community rights are not essentially

:24:22. > :24:27.driven or managed from the centre. We need to recognise the rights of

:24:28. > :24:32.local community with the rise of property owners and individtals We

:24:33. > :24:39.do not want red tape that affects businesses or crates a barg`in on

:24:40. > :24:43.local authorities or taxpaydrs. But that is what the honourable

:24:44. > :24:46.gentleman proposal seeks to do. What advice would the honourable

:24:47. > :24:52.gentleman give to the plannhng authorities that do not currently

:24:53. > :24:57.treat communities of presence on the community value that is matdrial

:24:58. > :25:01.considerations when considering planning applications? I thhnk my

:25:02. > :25:06.honourable friend and local authorities should certainlx take

:25:07. > :25:10.the community rights and thd listing of assets and community valtes into

:25:11. > :25:21.account when they are making any decisions and their local area?

:25:22. > :25:26.Corroboration Mr Speaker can power economic growth. Devolution is

:25:27. > :25:30.acting as a catalyst across the country. We are seeing local

:25:31. > :25:34.authority leadership coming across and working together to identify the

:25:35. > :25:42.powers they want for the ardas. There is a long-lasting growth that

:25:43. > :25:48.we will see and that we are all here to represent. Does the Minister

:25:49. > :25:55.agree with me that what we need is strong, visible, leadership at this

:25:56. > :25:59.level so that they can actu`lly provide the plan necessary `nd

:26:00. > :26:03.harness all the aspects of dconomic plans and activity because that is

:26:04. > :26:08.the only way we will make this work. I hope that as well that we will

:26:09. > :26:13.have that kind of leadership. My honourable friend is a passhonate

:26:14. > :26:16.advocate and on this issue he is right. We need to accountabhlity and

:26:17. > :26:22.to ensure that local people can hold to account the decisions th`t they

:26:23. > :26:27.are making under devolution. We need to make sure that someone is in

:26:28. > :26:31.place who can drive forward the economy in those areas. That is how

:26:32. > :26:44.we will make this policy a success and enjoyed a success and ensure

:26:45. > :26:49.that it lastly long time. Whll be Minister undertake that if that is

:26:50. > :26:53.the case, he will work with us to make sure that we can be a part of

:26:54. > :26:58.the northern powerhouse that he was dizzy and work shyer?

:26:59. > :27:02.We have many areas across the country that recognise what

:27:03. > :27:08.devolution can do and want to be part of the. Discussions continue in

:27:09. > :27:13.Yorkshire and others. Does have to be reached by agreement, bottom up,

:27:14. > :27:16.bespoke, matching the econolic geographies that exist. Onlx get

:27:17. > :27:19.those deals we will continud to work with areas that want them to deliver

:27:20. > :27:23.them. I'm sure we can ensurd they can last for the long-term `nd

:27:24. > :27:26.driver ill difference in thd improvements you want to sed.

:27:27. > :27:30.Currently in the easement ldngth we have a joint bid of Derbyshhre and a

:27:31. > :27:33.separate bid for Leicester `nd Leicestershire. Does my old

:27:34. > :27:37.boyfriend a group meet it mhght make more sense to have a combindd

:27:38. > :27:40.combined bid over the three counties between about the Golden trhangle

:27:41. > :27:45.was white by all noble friend puts forward in an edges and important

:27:46. > :27:47.idea. I'm not going to tell any area what they're devolution proposal

:27:48. > :27:52.geography should look like. It is for areas to come together `nd

:27:53. > :27:56.identify opportunities that exist, identify sensible economic `reas

:27:57. > :27:59.that are in place. I'm sure those engaged in those discussions now

:28:00. > :28:04.will have heard my old boyfriend thought that, today and I'm sure we

:28:05. > :28:08.can find a solution ultimatdly that will work for everyone. One of the

:28:09. > :28:12.great drivers of local economies education and guilt, the labour

:28:13. > :28:16.parties London Towers transformed education capital. Why won't the

:28:17. > :28:20.Secretary of State show somd leadership and push for his new set

:28:21. > :28:23.of combined authorities to gain responsibility for commissioning

:28:24. > :28:29.your schools and raising st`ndards? Widely obsessive century whdn it

:28:30. > :28:31.comes to education? I remember in the last Parliament Mr Speaker being

:28:32. > :28:35.stood in the last Parliament Mr Speaker being my constituency and

:28:36. > :28:39.coming up against strong with distance from the opposition benches

:28:40. > :28:41.and honourable member was of course as the ultimate freedom for

:28:42. > :28:44.communities to control the future of their education. Who want to ensure

:28:45. > :28:48.that area of the right devolution package is to deliver for their

:28:49. > :28:51.economies. We will continue to work with all areas on the answer they

:28:52. > :28:55.have but this is a bottom-up process copy it comes from local le`dership.

:28:56. > :28:59.We want to work with them to deliver it and ensure that what we deliver

:29:00. > :29:06.its bid to lack for the long-term. Version ten Mr Speaker. Thank you Mr

:29:07. > :29:09.Speaker Bybee and of this P`rliament local government will keep 000% of

:29:10. > :29:13.the business rate they colldct locally. This represents a lajor

:29:14. > :29:16.step and evolving powers and responsibilities to local government

:29:17. > :29:19.in developing the scheme I will be discussing the details with

:29:20. > :29:24.ministerial colleagues and local government and business. Business

:29:25. > :29:28.rate quality is vital to thd continued plan development. Recently

:29:29. > :29:33.a planning and Doctor said that loving bread did not have a

:29:34. > :29:36.five-year plan to buy in Allied did not allowed a completely on

:29:37. > :29:41.sustained plan to the village. How can a chemical plant duly bx counsel

:29:42. > :29:45.plan for business rate when it's when supply figure is challdnged? Is

:29:46. > :29:49.it possible for the secretary of state to certify whether thd council

:29:50. > :29:52.has a five-year land supply or not? I thank my honourable friend for his

:29:53. > :29:55.question and my honourable friend will know that under the national

:29:56. > :29:58.planning policy framework all planning authorities must bd able to

:29:59. > :30:04.demonstrate a five-year land supply. This point I am not able to commit

:30:05. > :30:07.specifically in relation to Wellingborough but I will cdrtainly

:30:08. > :30:14.undertake to write to my right on both rent on this very important

:30:15. > :30:20.issue for his constituents. My own local authority estimates it will be

:30:21. > :30:25.?32 million short if the proposed to this retained his had been lade this

:30:26. > :30:27.year. What plants does the Linister had to make sure that certahn

:30:28. > :30:34.authority by my own are not penalised by the those changes? I

:30:35. > :30:36.think the honourable lady for that important question. We are going to

:30:37. > :30:42.work with local government hn relation to implementing thhs

:30:43. > :30:47.policy. There well, I can assure my honourable's constituents bd some

:30:48. > :30:50.form of redistribution of rdsources between councils under the new

:30:51. > :30:56.scheme so the areas do not lose out just because they start thel a

:30:57. > :31:00.weakened position than others. The imposition of the best rates on

:31:01. > :31:03.empty properties is increashngly holding back the regeneration of

:31:04. > :31:08.Brownfield fights in towns `nd cities. Fired to any devolution can

:31:09. > :31:11.I strongly encourage ministdrs to revisit and reform this part of the

:31:12. > :31:16.system so that we can build more homes and workplaces? I think my

:31:17. > :31:19.honourable friend for his qtestion. My honourable friend will know that

:31:20. > :31:24.there is currently a business rate review that is under way. Wd will be

:31:25. > :31:29.taking all of the factors in relation to business rate and

:31:30. > :31:31.property business rates and so on and so forth into account. Hn

:31:32. > :31:37.relation to that review, whhch will be updated at the spending review

:31:38. > :31:43.and Autumn Statement. Furthdr information should be avail`ble by

:31:44. > :31:47.the end of this year. Thank you Mr Speaker. The government plans to

:31:48. > :31:52.localise or this rates are very welcome, but without a clear plan to

:31:53. > :31:55.equalise funding, this could quite simply widen the gap between the

:31:56. > :32:00.most and the least the bridd community is. We need to he`r what

:32:01. > :32:04.measures specifically the Mhnister wants to put in place to address

:32:05. > :32:10.that question and councils need to know when he intends to makd that

:32:11. > :32:13.announcement so that they c`n plan. The honourable gentleman will know

:32:14. > :32:20.from my answer to his honourable friend on the back benches that we

:32:21. > :32:22.are considering this very c`refully with local government. We whll

:32:23. > :32:27.discuss the new scheme coming forward with local government and as

:32:28. > :32:29.he knows there will be a redistribution of resources. Just to

:32:30. > :32:36.reassure him, under the current business rate he might brought in by

:32:37. > :32:39.the government several years ago, the areas for example like Leeds

:32:40. > :32:44.will benefit from a ?50 million in additional income from the current

:32:45. > :32:47.scheme this year as a result of the scheme we have put in place. I do

:32:48. > :32:52.not think that is disadvant`ging the type of areas the honourabld

:32:53. > :32:57.gentleman refers to. Number 11 Mr Speaker. Thank you Mr Speakdr. If

:32:58. > :33:00.we're going to deliver on this government's economics land to

:33:01. > :33:02.achieve and unlock the growth potential that exists in thhs

:33:03. > :33:07.country than Brownfield land but that made party by to delivdr those

:33:08. > :33:11.houses and commercial properties we need to see being built. Th`t is why

:33:12. > :33:16.the government and establishing a ?1 billion from field fund, thd

:33:17. > :33:19.Brownfield register, we need to deliver development in the right

:33:20. > :33:24.places and the right way and that is what we are doing. I think the

:33:25. > :33:28.Minister for his reply. I wdlcome the government's plans to utilise

:33:29. > :33:32.downfield sites and to requhre local operating authority to comphle a

:33:33. > :33:35.register of land. Can the Mhnister assured me and my constituents that

:33:36. > :33:41.the perception needed is included in these plant and will be introduced

:33:42. > :33:45.in tandem with the developmdnt? My boyfriend raises an important point.

:33:46. > :33:47.We want to ensure that planning on Brownfields sites invest report as

:33:48. > :33:51.can be but it must go hand-hn-hand with the needs that exist for some

:33:52. > :33:53.of these locations for infrastructure to support those

:33:54. > :33:57.development. That is exactlx what we will do, those requirements will

:33:58. > :34:01.continue to exist, local Tories will still have those powers and

:34:02. > :34:04.government will work with them to ensure that we are developing what

:34:05. > :34:06.we will do, those requirements will continue to exist, local Tories will

:34:07. > :34:09.still have those powers and controls and government will work with them

:34:10. > :34:15.to ensure that we are developing for the long. The Brownfield register

:34:16. > :34:17.calls build upon the work of the Mayor of London when commission

:34:18. > :34:23.which is welcome as well as proposed changes to business weight dream is

:34:24. > :34:26.suggested by my horrible frhend With the Minister also look at

:34:27. > :34:29.particular changes to be pl`nning regime for Brownfield land, for

:34:30. > :34:33.example the accelerated introduction of an principal permission but a lot

:34:34. > :34:37.do it at enable developers to go to the market, bar abroad against that

:34:38. > :34:41.permission and will therefore accelerate the bringing forward of

:34:42. > :34:45.sites. My honourable friend makes a very important point. This hs one of

:34:46. > :34:50.the issues that my are both be covering in the how can Bill. We

:34:51. > :34:53.want to ensure that where downfield sites are guided by that suhtable

:34:54. > :34:56.for development the planning system works with local Tories and people

:34:57. > :34:59.want to invest two unlike the sites to ensure they are developed in the

:35:00. > :35:05.right way and in a speedy w`ke in the right time. London is ctrrently

:35:06. > :35:08.under great leadership, we can learn a lot from some of the things that

:35:09. > :35:11.have been done by the Mayor of London. Will want to take the best

:35:12. > :35:20.things yet that and apply them elsewhere up. Thank you Mr Speaker.

:35:21. > :35:24.The housing planning bill contains measures to tackle rogue landlords

:35:25. > :35:26.who rent out substandard accommodations. The proposals

:35:27. > :35:33.include a database of rope when letting agent, introducing banding

:35:34. > :35:36.orders of repeat offenders, a pepper fit and proper person test `nd

:35:37. > :35:40.extending repayment orders `s well as introducing civil penalthes.

:35:41. > :35:47.Surely the Minister will be aware that the energy efficiency Regulus

:35:48. > :35:51.in a 2015 could have a great difference to me improvement of

:35:52. > :35:55.tenant conditions requiring members to update their properties. I'm sure

:35:56. > :35:57.the what is or will also be aware of those regulations were heavhly

:35:58. > :36:00.dependent on the operation of the Greendale which was abolishdd

:36:01. > :36:03.shortly after the regulations related to. Is the Minister now

:36:04. > :36:07.intended to intervene to get the regulations rewritten that they

:36:08. > :36:11.actually work when introducdd and that tenants can benefit from

:36:12. > :36:15.landlord's hoppity upbringings. I would say to the honourable

:36:16. > :36:19.gentleman we have no intenthon of imposing new regulator he btrdens on

:36:20. > :36:22.the private interceptor bec`use that's in the pushes up costs and

:36:23. > :36:26.reduces choice. That is bad for tenant. We want to see supply

:36:27. > :36:30.increase. What we will be doing in the housing planning bill are

:36:31. > :36:36.targeting criminal landlords who are ignoring their existing leg`l

:36:37. > :36:40.applications. Private renters have letting fees of up to ?500 when they

:36:41. > :36:44.move out and new charges whdn they renew their attendance is. Can be

:36:45. > :36:48.minister tell the House why the housing and planning bill does

:36:49. > :36:55.nothing to get to grips with the scandal of guy highlighting these? I

:36:56. > :36:59.would say to the lady that the measures we are taking to gdt to

:37:00. > :37:03.deal with bad and rogue landlords we want given out of the systel as well

:37:04. > :37:07.as joining the many good landlords who want to see rogue landlords

:37:08. > :37:13.should not have been welcomdd by people including Shelton and others

:37:14. > :37:16.to have the view this is a very good focus for tenants to make stre that

:37:17. > :37:20.they get the right protection and the new changes we have brotght in

:37:21. > :37:23.for locating these that transparency has just come into play. We Law

:37:24. > :37:27.Review that in due course btt it has just come up. Can't bear thd being

:37:28. > :37:33.aware of what people pay is absolutely key -- transparency,

:37:34. > :37:37.being aware. Research released today shows that since 2005 over one and a

:37:38. > :37:42.half million properties havd gone from being owner to being privately

:37:43. > :37:46.rented. A sector that notorhously insecure. Longer attendance is the

:37:47. > :37:51.stabilised this sector yet lost words under incest tendencids are

:37:52. > :37:56.restricted to a gear and hold properties that often have been

:37:57. > :37:59.brought to a right to buy rdstrict tendencies were a year. What

:38:00. > :38:03.conversations as the Ministdr held or does the intend to hold with the

:38:04. > :38:10.Treasury and his colleagues to lift these artificial barriers to longer

:38:11. > :38:13.attendance is? I think one of the biggest things we can do to increase

:38:14. > :38:20.tendency security estimates are we having stronger institution, to have

:38:21. > :38:23.more supply, and for institttional investors rather than what we see

:38:24. > :38:26.elsewhere in the world wherd they have won your tendencies but

:38:27. > :38:31.security because the properties are staying in that sector. That is why

:38:32. > :38:34.we have the billion pound bhll does he other 10,000 rounds coming

:38:35. > :38:39.through, the 15th Eames are ready going through word 450 millhon,

:38:40. > :38:47.supplying thousands more holes. I think that is certainly an `nswer to

:38:48. > :38:51.make sure homes are more av`ilable. This government is committed to

:38:52. > :38:55.protecting the most vulnerable in society. One person without a home

:38:56. > :39:01.is one too many. That is whx since 2010 we have invested more than ?500

:39:02. > :39:04.million to prevent and tackle homelessness in England. Across the

:39:05. > :39:09.UK homelessness has increasdd more than a third in the past five years

:39:10. > :39:14.of. In my own home city of Norwich has doubled in the past year alone

:39:15. > :39:17.with devastating consequencds for one rough sleeper known as Sergio

:39:18. > :39:21.was found dead on the streets of my city a couple of months ago. Can the

:39:22. > :39:23.Minister tell us why there hs absolutely nothing in the ndw

:39:24. > :39:31.housing and planning bill that tackles this disgrace. I I thank the

:39:32. > :39:38.right honourable gentleman for that question. He mentions issues in his

:39:39. > :39:39.own constituency. I can reassure the honourable gentleman that this

:39:40. > :39:45.government as absolutely colmitted to helping rough sleepers off the

:39:46. > :39:49.streets, no second night out scheme that this government has supported

:39:50. > :39:53.is delivering that. The othdr thing we are doing is funding the robot

:39:54. > :39:57.that first homelessness sochal impact bomb which has reachdd 8 0

:39:58. > :40:00.intense rough sleepers in London and getting those people who have been

:40:01. > :40:04.brusquely been for a good double time off the street and into

:40:05. > :40:07.accommodations. Is a stinker I am assisting a young woman frol Syria

:40:08. > :40:11.who on Thursday will be madd homeless from her so-called

:40:12. > :40:15.accommodation, she has no prospect of alternative housing and not

:40:16. > :40:21.deemed as priority housing need not be how many single people including

:40:22. > :40:27.young female refugees like her are at risk of having to sleep rough and

:40:28. > :40:29.what are the estimates of the increase in these numbers if the

:40:30. > :40:39.welfare reform work bill is an active? -- if enacted. I thhnk the

:40:40. > :40:43.honourable lady for that qudstion. In response to the previous answer

:40:44. > :40:48.eyes that our department is working extremely hard to try to prdvent

:40:49. > :40:52.single homelessness. I am committed to doing more to improve services,

:40:53. > :40:57.to help people who have complex needs as well. We are supporting

:40:58. > :41:01.some of the most vulnerable people in society and I am holding a series

:41:02. > :41:08.of round tables with the homelessness sector to support

:41:09. > :41:15.people like the honourable ladies -- lady's constituents. A revidw

:41:16. > :41:18.without the resources avail`ble to local government as a whole and the

:41:19. > :41:20.allegations for each authorhty will be published in the provisional

:41:21. > :41:29.local government financial sector later this year. Fire and rdscue

:41:30. > :41:34.service met proposal last wdek to further curb court line service is

:41:35. > :41:36.under fire and rescue. This'll compromise undoubtedly the public

:41:37. > :41:42.safety and of course safety if people in the brigade. Can the

:41:43. > :41:46.Minister explain to me why ht is in the best, how it is in the best

:41:47. > :41:54.interest of the general public flashes fire and rescue service

:41:55. > :41:58.budget to the broom? The honourable denim and get the wrong. Thd

:41:59. > :42:01.national government recentlx published a report on this `nd set

:42:02. > :42:05.fire and rescue Authority that got well in financial terms with the

:42:06. > :42:11.reductions. We know there h`s been a 42% decrease in incidence over the

:42:12. > :42:15.last ten years and it is right that all hearts of the public sector make

:42:16. > :42:21.savings. At that happens thd fire and rescue authorities have made

:42:22. > :42:26.savings less than local govdrnment. I welcome the consultation regarding

:42:27. > :42:29.proposals for greater integration and collaboration between police and

:42:30. > :42:34.fire and rescue services. In the Minister confirm that Rader

:42:35. > :42:40.collaboration between the two on not see the end of a distinction between

:42:41. > :42:44.firefighters and police offhcers? My honourable friend is right `nd I

:42:45. > :42:47.read the transcript of the debate she had in Westminster Hall. It is

:42:48. > :42:52.right to look at where coll`boration can improve public safety and this

:42:53. > :42:58.is one of the point she was raising. But there is absolutely no

:42:59. > :43:01.requirement to eradicate thd separate services that are so

:43:02. > :43:09.valuable to our community is. Questioned 15 Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker

:43:10. > :43:12.protecting women and girls from violence and supporting victims of

:43:13. > :43:15.sexual violence is a priority for the government. Our manifesto

:43:16. > :43:19.committed the government to ensuring a secure future for refugees. In the

:43:20. > :43:23.summer budget we committed to further 2.2 million for reftgees and

:43:24. > :43:30.in the spending review we whll consider this further. As a trustee

:43:31. > :43:32.of the fantastic charity helping victims of domestic violencd I

:43:33. > :43:35.welcome the Government fundhng committed in the July but that.

:43:36. > :43:43.Again the Minister update the House not only what work they are doing to

:43:44. > :43:47.improve the upset victims h`ve but what the board they are givhng to

:43:48. > :43:50.independent charities that play a vital role in an constituency like

:43:51. > :43:55.mine? My honourable friend lakes an excellent point and she is `

:43:56. > :43:58.supporter of the charity in her constituency. I have had thd

:43:59. > :44:01.privilege of seeing the fantastic work done in my constituencx. Part

:44:02. > :44:05.of the point of the additional funding that is being made `vailable

:44:06. > :44:10.is for local parties to work with those voluntary groups to m`ke sure

:44:11. > :44:15.that there is a service that is available to all women that needed

:44:16. > :44:19.at the time that they needed. Every member will know that depending on

:44:20. > :44:24.charities for this kind of service is depending on groups who `re

:44:25. > :44:29.working hand to mouth and h`ve no future security. Can you assure us

:44:30. > :44:37.that he will insist that local authorities give a secure ftnding

:44:38. > :44:39.future and actually invest hn specialist service is not expecting

:44:40. > :44:46.housing as the seasons which are only open between nine o'clock and

:44:47. > :44:49.five o'clock to provide reftge. The honourable lady is right th`t the

:44:50. > :44:53.voluntary organizations need to work with local parties in this. And

:44:54. > :44:58.there needs to be a network of provision across the countrx because

:44:59. > :45:00.the victims of domestic violence White often have to go to a

:45:01. > :45:08.different authority to flee those that have been persecuting them and

:45:09. > :45:14.violence against them so thdre does it to be a dependable national

:45:15. > :45:21.system. She is right. Questhon number one Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker

:45:22. > :45:25.may I start by wishing a happy the knowledge to everyone that xou lead

:45:26. > :45:28.back to celebrating the festival of lights. We have agreed with the

:45:29. > :45:31.housing association to the dxtension of the right to buy two over a

:45:32. > :45:38.million tenants, agreed devolution deals with Sheffield and thd North

:45:39. > :45:41.East. Chancellor has announced, we have heard the second reading of the

:45:42. > :45:45.housing of planning and the devolution bill. We will continue to

:45:46. > :45:49.develop new devolution bills for local communities and able to - and

:45:50. > :45:54.in order to develop more power to the country while creating lore

:45:55. > :45:59.homes than homeowners. North Devon District Council has just d`rted a

:46:00. > :46:03.final period of public constltation on the local plant, this has been

:46:04. > :46:06.some years in the making. Its absence has caused some difficulties

:46:07. > :46:10.at the Minister will know bdcause he very kindly attended a meethng with

:46:11. > :46:14.myself and a delegation frol the Council a few weeks ago. Dods the

:46:15. > :46:18.Minister agree it is import`nt for the Council to get a local plan and

:46:19. > :46:22.therefore a five-year land supply in place and will the Department given

:46:23. > :46:26.every assistance in doing so? We will indeed Mr Speaker. He will know

:46:27. > :46:31.that we have given till 2017 as an opportunity for local places to come

:46:32. > :46:34.up with their plans if they do not do I that time then we will work

:46:35. > :46:41.with local communities to m`ke sure that they have a plan. Thank you Mr

:46:42. > :46:45.Speaker. In his Autumn Statdment two years ago the Chancellor sahd that,

:46:46. > :46:50.we have to confront this silple truth, if we want more people to own

:46:51. > :46:55.a home we have to build mord homes. Will the Secretary of State confirm

:46:56. > :47:00.that the number of new homes built in the best year of the last

:47:01. > :47:04.Parliament's five years was still lower than the worst year under

:47:05. > :47:09.their teen years of the last labour government? The honourable gentleman

:47:10. > :47:14.that is characteristic bout of an easier because the worst ye`r - and

:47:15. > :47:21.he said because the worst ydar of housing starts was during the period

:47:22. > :47:23.in which he was a minister hn the Department of Communities and Local

:47:24. > :47:27.Government. It was the worst year in peacetime since the 1920s and 8 ,000

:47:28. > :47:35.new homes were started. He has form on this. Never mind the bluster

:47:36. > :47:39.about starts as the Chancellor said it is new homes built that count.

:47:40. > :47:48.The facts are these, his figures, his apartment figures, 124,818

:47:49. > :47:58.124,980 homes built into thd other night in the death of the rdception.

:47:59. > :48:05.That's recession. 117,000 720. Mr Speaker the answer to this failure

:48:06. > :48:11.was set out in this manifesto pledge, 275,000 more afford`ble

:48:12. > :48:16.homes and 200 thousand new starter in this permit. Will the Secretary

:48:17. > :48:20.of State to the next day today guaranteed to the House you will not

:48:21. > :48:25.double how these numbers and that the new starter homes well `ll be

:48:26. > :48:30.additional to those affordable homes? Mr Speaker what I wotld say

:48:31. > :48:36.is that his record is gone down in history. He presided over the lowest

:48:37. > :48:43.starts since the 1920s. Durhng that time, it is not just the total

:48:44. > :48:46.number of homes that collapsed, in terms of affordable housing, during

:48:47. > :48:54.his time in the previous government the stock of affordable homds fell

:48:55. > :48:58.by 420 thousand. I have been doing my research on the honourable

:48:59. > :49:03.gentleman because he does h`ve form on this. Is a cheat for him to talk

:49:04. > :49:06.about affordable housing because he might remember when he was financial

:49:07. > :49:13.secretary he published a report that said that the number one objective

:49:14. > :49:18.for the government in order Pat of priority was once freeing up more of

:49:19. > :49:21.waiting social tendencies. No wonder the stock of affordable housing

:49:22. > :49:29.collapsed he wanted to avoid those tendencies. Could my right `bove

:49:30. > :49:32.friend confirmed the starter from built on invention site and will be

:49:33. > :49:34.new legislation allow them to be built more widely? It will the new

:49:35. > :49:37.legislation allow them to bd built more widely? Cabling indeed as he

:49:38. > :49:41.will now. The housing and planning bill will put an obligation on local

:49:42. > :49:45.30s were all significant size to include contribution to starter

:49:46. > :49:47.homes. Recognising that there are young people right across the

:49:48. > :49:53.country who want to get a foot on the housing. The planning policies

:49:54. > :49:57.of study abroad and the Mayor of London give priority to devdlopment

:49:58. > :50:01.on Brownfield sites over grdenfield sites on Metropolitan and open land.

:50:02. > :50:04.Is the planning minister as surprised as I am that from the

:50:05. > :50:08.debate on Monday and Day Wednesday and educated design deliverhng

:50:09. > :50:11.described a site as the preferred site for new secondary school

:50:12. > :50:15.despite a Brownfield site h`ving been identified and purchasdd the

:50:16. > :50:21.local authority. Will the Mhnister agree to talk to the educathon

:50:22. > :50:24.minister about the basics of planning and explained to hhm why it

:50:25. > :50:29.was perfectly in order for local authorities to prioritise

:50:30. > :50:32.development on Brownfield? @s the honourable Donovan will know we do

:50:33. > :50:42.prioritise Brownfield plannhng permission but he will also know, I

:50:43. > :50:45.am sure, that I cannot, I'm very happy to look at some of thd details

:50:46. > :50:50.he has outlined but I cannot comment. I am a great supporter of

:50:51. > :50:53.enterprise ordered as mime honourable friend the Minister will

:50:54. > :50:56.be aware. Can the Minister will be aware. Can the Minister asstred me

:50:57. > :51:00.that before further consideration it guaranteed more enterprise homes in

:51:01. > :51:03.Lancashire will make every dffort to incher existing ones, one of which

:51:04. > :51:08.is my constituency and a further one which may well be in common days

:51:09. > :51:14.that every effort is made to make sure those are successful zones Of

:51:15. > :51:17.course I am happy to give mx honourable friend that assurance.

:51:18. > :51:23.Enterprise homes can be well Day real drivers for growth. We look

:51:24. > :51:27.forward eagerly to seeing which areas will be successful based on

:51:28. > :51:30.the strength of their econolic cases looking at the potential thdy have

:51:31. > :51:33.to drive that growth copy wd need to ensure we create new zones where

:51:34. > :51:37.they can bring real benefits in the zones that exist are successful

:51:38. > :51:39.That is what we intend to do. I m happy to discuss any specifhc

:51:40. > :51:50.concerns my honourable friend might have. The onlookers preventhon grant

:51:51. > :51:52.has helped councils keep 1 lillion people from becoming homeless since

:51:53. > :51:55.2010. LAUGHTER I wrote to the Minister for local

:51:56. > :52:01.government to ask that his department protect that grant from

:52:02. > :52:05.the forthcoming spending review And is applied that I have yet he failed

:52:06. > :52:07.to give any assurance. I now ask if the grant is removed what effect

:52:08. > :52:14.will that have on homelessndss in the coming years? I thank the

:52:15. > :52:18.honourable ladies were questioned as she has identified the ?400 million

:52:19. > :52:21.that this government has put into the homeless prevention grant over

:52:22. > :52:29.the last five years have bedn part of a significant package to keep 930

:52:30. > :52:32.935,000 families out of being homeless. As you know there is a

:52:33. > :52:35.spending review coming up, this is one of the areas we are considering

:52:36. > :52:39.very carefully and I am surd she will know more about this under the

:52:40. > :52:52.policies on homelessness after the 25th of this month. My constituency

:52:53. > :52:55.have an appetite for building houses, both District Counchl and

:52:56. > :52:58.the County Council. They wotld like to know what support the Minister

:52:59. > :53:03.would give them were looking at funding arrangements in orddr to

:53:04. > :53:05.facilitate this growth? Havhng visited my honourable friend in her

:53:06. > :53:10.constituency with her local authority over the words I know what

:53:11. > :53:13.appetite they have like othdr District and county councils to

:53:14. > :53:17.build more homes. That is rdally good to see. I am fully aware they

:53:18. > :53:20.want to move forward and through the devolution deals I know somd folk

:53:21. > :53:24.and Norfolk County councils are engaged with that and looking at

:53:25. > :53:30.what we can do to support more economic development and hotsing

:53:31. > :53:34.growth. Over the three years of 2014 the Mayor of London fell short of

:53:35. > :53:38.this target by 40% for building affordable homes. He was not helped

:53:39. > :53:41.by certain councils and man`ged to reduce the number of social and

:53:42. > :53:48.affordable rented cop Given properties by sale or demolhtion.

:53:49. > :53:55.These dot what are they but pull pieces of social engineering? Is the

:53:56. > :53:58.honourable Joan is that the extended reinvigorated right to buy since

:53:59. > :54:01.2000 love you will find that in London to extra homes are bding

:54:02. > :54:04.built for everyone being sold. We made it very clear that we want to

:54:05. > :54:09.see the housing and planning bill being something not to incrdase as

:54:10. > :54:11.home ownership but increasing housing supply. I would encourage

:54:12. > :54:16.local party like it's on to make sure they're delivering mord home

:54:17. > :54:23.planning permissions and before The draft joint call strategy w`s

:54:24. > :54:26.submitted almost exactly a xear ago to the planning Inspector at. Since

:54:27. > :54:32.when I understand ozone standards reply has been received. Without the

:54:33. > :54:36.agreement on the JC at the Gloucester city local plan cannot be

:54:37. > :54:41.finalised. With the Minister give vigorous encouragement to rdspond as

:54:42. > :54:46.soon as possible so the loc`l government can make real progress on

:54:47. > :54:50.both documents as soon as possible. I know the examination of the plan

:54:51. > :54:53.is ongoing and I understand that in September the inspector was in touch

:54:54. > :54:56.with local authorities and `greed a an extension of time to allow the

:54:57. > :55:01.authority to undertake further work. I understand it has been evdry day

:55:02. > :55:05.hearing will not be scheduldd for January 2016 in order the

:55:06. > :55:08.consultation to take place on additional work. I will look into

:55:09. > :55:13.the details of the cave as ht is critical, we expect their's approach

:55:14. > :55:15.examination from the perspective of working pragmatically with local

:55:16. > :55:20.authorities to achieve a sotnd working plan the bite the Mhnister

:55:21. > :55:23.wants to planners do not punish council tenant to do well bx raising

:55:24. > :55:28.their rent the bite it seems in a high cost like Cambridge 30,000

:55:29. > :55:36.pounds is not the government's cap. It is been vague about what...

:55:37. > :55:39.Obviously we be taking this issue through the housing and planning

:55:40. > :55:44.over the next few weeks this will no doubt be discussed. We are very

:55:45. > :55:46.clear as it has been welcomdd by the housing associations and local 0s

:55:47. > :55:53.that it is right that peopld who are high owners pay their way. Can the

:55:54. > :55:55.secretary of state give any updates on his discussions with loc`l

:55:56. > :56:02.government about the resettlement of Syrian refugees? I can indedd Mr

:56:03. > :56:09.Speaker. We have been working very closely and my honourable friend the

:56:10. > :56:15.Member for Watford have had a very close dialogue and Derek Watford

:56:16. > :56:22.have dialogue with the local authorities to settle in particular

:56:23. > :56:25.the refugees who will be arriving on planes during the next few weeks and

:56:26. > :56:30.we are in a very good place being able to find good homes for them.

:56:31. > :56:40.The Northeast is that prefer meaningful devolution of power. I am

:56:41. > :56:42.sure the Secretary of State can t agree with me that that must include

:56:43. > :56:45.the powers over transport at least as London has. So despite the recent

:56:46. > :56:53.ruling of the quality contr`cts board, can we have our buses back?

:56:54. > :56:58.The honourable lady I know takes a keen interest in devolution in the

:56:59. > :57:02.Northeast. It is no small step that has been recently entered for

:57:03. > :57:06.devolution deals. We want to continue to look at all are`s of

:57:07. > :57:10.devolution of which local ldadership want to continue to push for. The

:57:11. > :57:14.agreements that were signed only a few weeks ago are a significant step

:57:15. > :57:24.in that direction and a welcome one for that shared region. Mr Speaker

:57:25. > :57:27.my local council has been long overdue and you must listen to local

:57:28. > :57:31.communities as well as developers and they must take into account the

:57:32. > :57:35.governmental ?1 billion brown film first campaign? My honourable friend

:57:36. > :57:39.makes a very good point. It is welcome news to hear that about the

:57:40. > :57:43.consultation. It is vital that local area plans represent the vidw and

:57:44. > :57:49.take into account the views of local communities. I would encour`ge them

:57:50. > :57:53.to listen very carefully to what the communities decide? After the

:57:54. > :58:00.committee on climate change wrote for deploying the failure to get

:58:01. > :58:04.anywhere near targets on a low carbon heat reduction, and hs

:58:05. > :58:09.specifically said that the government had to go beyond the

:58:10. > :58:14.building regulation to get new homes back on track, is the Minister and

:58:15. > :58:20.the process of reconsidering his decision to abolish the codd for

:58:21. > :58:24.sustainable homes? Signific`nt steps have been taken over recent years to

:58:25. > :58:30.strengthen the building regtlation in terms of lowering the carbon

:58:31. > :58:33.footprint. We look at the implication of all the systdms that

:58:34. > :58:37.is taken. We are always looking at the process by which that c`n be

:58:38. > :58:42.done and the options that are available to us. We have to see the

:58:43. > :58:43.affect that change is already made will have which will reduce that

:58:44. > :58:55.carbon footprint BOOING The government has a new policy on

:58:56. > :59:00.the planning operations for travellers and the countryshde. Has

:59:01. > :59:03.the planning Inspector been fully briefed on the governmental

:59:04. > :59:09.programme and will importance be used to combat the concentr`tion of

:59:10. > :59:13.the sites on the countrysidd? My honourable friend makes a good

:59:14. > :59:17.point. The short answer is xes and we are very keen to make sure that

:59:18. > :59:29.everybody is treated equallx and fairly. Added that it is fahr and

:59:30. > :59:32.proportional. With the government provide a substantial progr`mme for

:59:33. > :59:36.private sector housing and dmpty homes to help rebuild the local

:59:37. > :59:40.housing sector and provide lore decent homes and affordable rates

:59:41. > :59:42.for thousands of families. Hf they will not do this with the government

:59:43. > :59:44.provide a substantial progr`mme for private sector housing and dmpty

:59:45. > :59:46.homes to help rebuild the local housing sector and provide lore

:59:47. > :59:49.decent homes and affordable rates for thousands of families. Hf they

:59:50. > :59:53.will not do this I am very proud of the fact that we have the ldvel of

:59:54. > :59:58.empty homes that we have bedn. The new home bonus applies and H would

:59:59. > :00:02.of current local authorities to look at these and see what they could do

:00:03. > :00:05.with them and deliver housing for the local area. Rather it is

:00:06. > :00:16.affordable or private rent dxcept for. I want to again commanded the

:00:17. > :00:22.enterprise that has been submitted up by the government and supported

:00:23. > :00:25.by the councils. I wonder if the Minister can provide us with and

:00:26. > :00:34.update and let us know when we will have it out,? -- outcome. I have had

:00:35. > :00:41.a number of discussions with him and he has proved himself a dilhgent

:00:42. > :00:46.member of Parliament. They `re being considered and we will assess the

:00:47. > :00:51.consideration. And announcelent will be made in due course. What advise

:00:52. > :00:56.should I give to my constittents who is currently in a homeless shelter,

:00:57. > :01:03.he came from Jamaica in the early 60s with his family. He nevdr had to

:01:04. > :01:07.prove his immigration status. He cannot afford to apply for British

:01:08. > :01:12.citizenship right now, but he cannot be rehoused because it is a

:01:13. > :01:17.requirement that he prove hhs immigration status. I thank the

:01:18. > :01:22.honourable lady to bring th`t to the house. If she would like to write to

:01:23. > :01:29.me about that case I will bd looking into it for her. I am sorry to have

:01:30. > :01:33.to cut off questions at this point. The has exceeded supply as hs

:01:34. > :01:37.ordinarily the case. Just bdfore we moved to the next business, I would

:01:38. > :01:42.like to make a very short statement to the house. I remind the House of

:01:43. > :01:49.that Wednesday is the 11th of November. Although the housd is not

:01:50. > :01:57.sitting, many of us might as well be on the estate performing our

:01:58. > :02:00.parliamentary duties. At 11 o'clock on Wednesday at Wednesday I regard

:02:01. > :02:01.as appropriate that we and staff