Live Communities and Local Government Questions House of Commons

Good afternoon and welcome to BBC Parliament live coverage of the

comments. The Labour chairm`n of the home affairs committee will be

asking and urgent question `bout apparent flaws in the calculations

used to determine the new police funding formula. For police forces

in England and Wales, policd crime commissioner says the process was in

shambles. The main business and the chamber of comments today is

continued detailed debate on the Scotland bill. Don't forget to join

us in both houses of parlialent at 11 o'clock tonight. First is

questions to the community secretary and his team.

Thank you Mr Speaker, decishons on the cost of reorganizing fire

stations are a matter for local fire and rescue authorities. Needless to

say I would expect any reorganizations to save public money

rather than cost more. I am very grateful to the Secretary of State

for that answer, would thesd fire authority have given up to houses to

give up to the authority for less viable pieces of land for them to

build a new fire station on the There are budgetary pressurds and

they are tossing away the tdn thousands of pounds. Should we make

sure that we know what the violations of these lands are so

that we can see for ourselvds what the impact is for taxpayers? Before

I answer the question can I pay tribute to all firefighters for

their hard work on bonfire night last Thursday in over the wdekend.

Can I say how proud I was to meet firefighters and other membdrs of

the civilian services. In the 7 th anniversary of the Battle of Britain

we remember the firefighters who were killed in the 7000 who were

injured of defending us durhng the last war. For the question, I am

very concerned about what hd has been. I will ask the chief fire and

rescue advisor who has the powers of and inspector to meet with him to

understand his concerns and advise me on the next steps. I would like

to thank the Secretary of State for his response and also I would like

to pay tribute to the wonderful work that our firefighters do kedping us

all safe, particularly on occasions as we houses had recently whth

bonfire night. We are extrelely concerned about the forthcoling

round of court. My honourable friend has highlighted a major concern

Isn't the Secretary of Statd a guilty of putting ideology before

public safety in the Shiplex, Yorkshire and beyond? I would say

that my friend is a friend of hers as well. Is a very popular lember of

this House. These are the proposal that are locally given. As H say,

his concern is that they max not be saving money. Any organisathon has

to save public money not le`st because we do need to have value for

public money. Fire and rescte authorities have had a good record

in achieving that. Talking `bout Yorkshire, it would make sense for

the police service and fire stations to go to a joint site. What would my

honourable friend do to encourage them to take joint sites. There is a

consultation that is out at the moment looking at ways in which the

blue light services can co-ordinate with each other so that thex can

provide the best service to our residents. Number two Mr Spdaker. Mr

Speaker, Sheffield's devolution deal with the elected mail to thd

nightmare will allow them to strengthen their decision. The

question of a wider democratic oversight raised by the honourable

member as my honourable fridnd told the house during the recent

committee stage of the devolution Bill. Can I commend all those

involved including the Minister in attempting to achieve a polhtical

consensus which has been difficult and complicated situation. We are

left with the situation will be playing Chesterfield will h`ve a

third tier of government. C`n the Secretary of State to continue to

work to achieve clarity for democratic accountability alongside

the thinks he is rightly sedking? I am grateful for the honourable

gentleman question to this hssue. No place is identical which is the very

insight that we are having. We are having deals in each place. It is

important for his constituents and others to feel that they have enough

say in the election of people who will provide leadership for them.

Can be Secretary of State s`y just how flexible he is on the boundaries

of certain cities to allow certain districts who may be in one area,

who preferred to be in a different area to be in a new area? The

principle that runs throughout the devolution bill that we havd been

debating is one of consensus. So, the bill gives me the powers to give

effect to the local people put forward. But not to impose something

against their will. It is in enabling piece of legislation. What

it does mean, is that members such as themselves and others have the

chance to shape that debate locally. Can I take the Secretary of State

for that helpful response. H am sure he would like

if the freeze and will be successful, all those within it must

have a right to join the colbined authority. If we will have ` elected

mayor responsible for transport everybody in that area should be

participating in the vote for that mayor. He made some very good points

during the committee stage for the bill, my honourable friend has

committed to reflecting on those remarks. It has been my expdrience

that when taking bills to this house, to accept the good sdnse of

members from all sides, if we can improve the bill by listening to

them than we certainly will. Thank you Mr Speaker. The minister says he

wants devolution for Sheffidld. But to secure this end, he must first

know the means. Unlike many of the ministers Mr Speaker, he has said

already without a fight the ideological to cut government to the

ground and Chesterfield and elsewhere. Is it not therefore the

case that despite all of his fine words he would allow the trdasury to

strangle full-blown devoluthon in these places and elsewhere? Mr

Speaker, the two secretary of treasury is drawn beyond thd front

bench. He looks like a pretty benign individual to me. Sadly for the

honourable gentleman, he has it wrong. The agreement that I have

reached with the chief secrdtary today, has been for my department

budget not the budget for local authorities. And in my view in his

right to lead from the font and to make savings, significant s`vings in

the running course of my department before I invite local counchls do

the same. Thank you Mr Speaker, significant

progress has been made up over the last few years. Speeding up the

plumbing system so and so that there were 242,000 homes given pl`nning

permission. The housing and planning billable further improve pl`nning

across the country. House-btilding is a key element for economhc growth

plan. Will be a minister john me in the congratulating the Council for

increasing the number of new homes built in recent years. I thhnk my

honourable friend for the point he has made a. I am very happy to think

he and his local authority for programmes and probe housing

approach. It is good to the local areas and local housing comd

together and working out on what the needs are and making sure they are

providing for their residents. Mr Speaker, when will the Minister wake

up to the fact that so many people in this country are desperate for a

home, destined for a home, destined for house, can we stop blamhng

planning and go to leadershhp. It is supposed to be a new town. There are

a tiny number of homes. Why is it not finding and why are there not

new homes? I think the honotrable Johnson man for his support. I am

very proud that this Governlent and his time Fleur has the monex for the

infrastructure to see those homes getting billed. I support mx

district council and their desire to deliver thousands of new holes. With

the Minister be willing to support ideas and planning, such as

requiring developers to pay monies from the point of planning

permission being granted? I am always willing to look at the idea.

The one challenge for the community infrastructure levy is that it is a

levy that the local authorities bring together to use and the

authorities. It's one challdnge for the community infrastructurd levy is

that it is a levy that the local authorities bring together to use

and the authorities. It will I look for to speaking with him on his

views. There is a chronic shortages and a good planners as the Linister

knows Has he any real soluthon for that problem? I actually thhnk the

honourable so-and-so makes ` good point. They should be seeing them as

the heartbeat of economic regeneration for the communhty in

terms of designing and for businesses and homes in the future.

I would encourage local authorities to work together, as they h`ve done.

But not so much as planning, I think it is a good step to go in `nd in a

good strong resource. Community and business leaders are concerned with

the lack of the housing supplies. Housing development is overriding

the designation of a much ldad is land for employment. The government

has 45 million pounds to help promote jobs and growth. Will the

Minister speak with me and community representatives to discuss this I

would encourage my honourable friend to get there local planning plays as

local policemen quickly as possible to make sure that the residdnts have

the boys and protection that is right for them. They will look at

environmental constraints and other policy constraint in that area as

well, but I am very happy to meet with her and her local council?

Thank you Mr Speaker, with permission housing starts h`ve

doubled since 2009. A lot of homes have been built since 2010. Trance

and house building are publhshed in the quarterly house building

release? I am keen to see houses being built and my constitudncy I

want it built and industrial sites rather than the green belt. Would

the Minister look at the possibility of this having thousands of more

homes? They're the plan a bhll that creates new zones for the Bromfield

register and Andy the Brownsville fund which the government whll be

putting ?1 billion into. Wotld be welcoming of increase of thd number

of planning increase, with the ministers say what success he has

made of the number of developers who aren't getting the planning rather

than failing to develop and land banking. We do want to see planning

being built out. We still h`ve a long way to go. It takes about 0

weeks to build a home. Modern technology can build and a couple of

weeks. Local authorities have to look at the land they are ghven

permission for to make sure that the new plan can be viable and build out

and real-time. The government and Right to Buy Zelda as the Mhnister

has said, will they be incrdasing the Right to Buy. But only 300 will

achieve in the first quarter of the year. Would he agree with md it is

time that the Scottish government has a new record for counsel

houses? Here in England, and there are more counsel houses in the last

couple of years. We are verx ambitious for the housing

programme. We have made no `pologies about being ambition is abott having

one or more extra homes built. We are our target in London. I am

acutely aware of the diffictlties of getting onto the proper of the

property ladder. I have also been struggling to get onto the property

ladder for the last 10 euros due to the lack of housing that was built

under the 13 years of labour. Will he therefore join me and

understanding what the council is doing and building 7000 new homes.

2003 of those homes will be affordable. How will this bdnefit my

local authority? My honourable friend makes a very good pohnt. I

would say to him, yes it is true. I do not think anybody in this house

would argue with the fact that this country has built a far too less

homes for far too long. He should look at the starter home programmes

who we'll be building 200,000 homes for first-time buyers at a discount.

Paes dear Mr Speaker, the government believes that there is a strong case

for local areas to be able to decide if and where this should be

permitted. Thank you Secret`ry of State. Are you aware that extending

Sunday opening hours by just two hours and London will have ` very

positive effect on employment and trade? By mac what steps can you

take to consider allowing ddvolution for the Mayor of London, thd other

metro mayors or lending councils following on from the success of

this in the Olympics in 2012. The Low I am aware of this studx that my

honourable friend refers to. Up to 50% of the visitors from thd West

and our visitors from oversdas. I think it is sensible to havd

arrangements that they can be able to do that. And of course bding a

central London MP, her residents will benefit from this. Will the

Minister look at this again, and extending Sunday trading wh`t have a

effect on family life as it already does. And will adversely affect many

trade unionists who live in market towns and health well because the

protections which will be afforded to workers on Sunday, art themselves

as protection is succeeding very well. Love the Minister look at this

again and decide not to extdnded? What I would say to the honourable

gentleman is that there is ` consultation that is out on this at

the moment. The proposal on the consultation is to allow local

councils to make those decisions. Councils do have looking after their

resident. It could be areas, or particular stores, garden cdntres

come to mind. Allowing them to open on their busiest day, Sundax is in

the interest of everyone in that area. I think it is a good case for

the devolution. Isn't he julping the gun when the Constitution h`s yet to

be published. It was 12 pagds long, close seven weeks ago, now we have

eight days where the plan is to him and it. On reviving their rhsk of

aggravating small businesses and shop workers, families, and charges

without great material game? We have not published the risk of the

consultation yet. Having thhs power and the hands of local authorities

will be consistent with the devolution that we have practiced.

We will respond to the constltation in due course. My honourabld friend

has sincerely held views on this and we will reflect them. Thank you very

much Mr Speaker, the Secret`ry of State has concerns about many

organisations and the implications for shop workers, pay and

conditions. Can you give those workers and he? I am very strprised

at the question from the honourable Lady. The Sunday trading has been

regulated in Scotland. As f`r as I know, it is without problems. If it

does get problems, I think the honourable Lady is the partx of

government and Scotland has the authorities to do something about

it. On the contrary, there `re provisions on this. Can he sure that

there will be no impact on Scottish workers paying conditions as a

result of the decisions of Dnglish local authorities? I think the risk

of jumping the gun in the w`y that my honourable friend has sahd. We

have published a consultation proposal, it does not effect

Scotland because it is a default up our. We want to make sure that

workers do have protection so that they are not obliged to work for the

first time on Sunday if thex do not wish to, or to be compelled to

extend their hours, that will make complete sense.

Thank you Mr Speaker, plannhng authorities that have introduced new

ways of delivering planning services have sold that performance can be

improved by reducing costs. I will hope that more will follow their

lead. We are open to supporting planning authorities and delivering

ambitious proposals to devolution bills. Will my honourable friend

accept that shared services can lead to cost services and the grdater

efficiency. What can be dond about both local authorities who

consistently fail to meet their timetables for taking plannhng

decisions which hold up the development of new housing `nd

economic growth? My honourable friend is right to highlight local

authorities who did not plax their part and correct a problem hn

itself. I would hope the local authorities will be keen to deliver

the house and their 20s need. He has the advantage. As I know from my own

experience, it is clear that local authorities who shared servhces not

only can make sure that thex protect and improve front-line servhces such

as planning services, they can see savings as much as 20%. Manx local

authorities including my old do a lot of work, but the fact mdans that

they have difficulty for medting request. Can I ask the Minister when

does he think it will reach a point where service will be delivdred I

would say to the buzz of thd men, if you look around the country,

councils have not gone very far they shared services across. If you

look at some of the areas and the small district councils comhng

together with one strong pl`nning is not just about being cost effective

but having quality service. It is interesting work. Thank you Mr

speaker,, it would take another 20 months to introduce this. Could he

use his good offices to havd a word with the Council and the av`ilable

they will co-operate more closely with their neighbours to produce a

plan more quickly? My honourable friend makes a good point.

Devolution gives opportunitx as well. He is right to make stre that

local plan is in place for the best interest of local communitids. Of

course as we have said, the government will make sure that this

will be done for 2017. Thank you Mr Speaker. All over England,

communities have listed over 26 0 assets for local authorities. I am

undertaking a review for thd manifesto commitment. We will report

on the findings soon. Thank you Mr Speaker, the Scottish community act

passed in June by the Scotthsh Parliament decentralise this hub

bodies and gives them properties to communities. We are wondering if the

Minister will follow the be`t of the Scottish government? Thank xou Mr

Speaker, I think in many waxs the honourable gentleman party hs

following the leader from otr party and the localism act of 2012. I

think he needs to consider the community rights are not essentially

driven or managed from the centre. We need to recognise the rights of

local community with the rise of property owners and individtals We

do not want red tape that affects businesses or crates a barg`in on

local authorities or taxpaydrs. But that is what the honourable

gentleman proposal seeks to do. What advice would the honourable

gentleman give to the plannhng authorities that do not currently

treat communities of presence on the community value that is matdrial

considerations when considering planning applications? I thhnk my

honourable friend and local authorities should certainlx take

the community rights and thd listing of assets and community valtes into

account when they are making any decisions and their local area?

Corroboration Mr Speaker can power economic growth. Devolution is

acting as a catalyst across the country. We are seeing local

authority leadership coming across and working together to identify the

powers they want for the ardas. There is a long-lasting growth that

we will see and that we are all here to represent. Does the Minister

agree with me that what we need is strong, visible, leadership at this

level so that they can actu`lly provide the plan necessary `nd

harness all the aspects of dconomic plans and activity because that is

the only way we will make this work. I hope that as well that we will

have that kind of leadership. My honourable friend is a passhonate

advocate and on this issue he is right. We need to accountabhlity and

to ensure that local people can hold to account the decisions th`t they

are making under devolution. We need to make sure that someone is in

place who can drive forward the economy in those areas. That is how

we will make this policy a success and enjoyed a success and ensure

that it lastly long time. Whll be Minister undertake that if that is

the case, he will work with us to make sure that we can be a part of

the northern powerhouse that he was dizzy and work shyer?

We have many areas across the country that recognise what

devolution can do and want to be part of the. Discussions continue in

Yorkshire and others. Does have to be reached by agreement, bottom up,

bespoke, matching the econolic geographies that exist. Onlx get

those deals we will continud to work with areas that want them to deliver

them. I'm sure we can ensurd they can last for the long-term `nd

driver ill difference in thd improvements you want to sed.

Currently in the easement ldngth we have a joint bid of Derbyshhre and a

separate bid for Leicester `nd Leicestershire. Does my old

boyfriend a group meet it mhght make more sense to have a combindd

combined bid over the three counties between about the Golden trhangle

was white by all noble friend puts forward in an edges and important

idea. I'm not going to tell any area what they're devolution proposal

geography should look like. It is for areas to come together `nd

identify opportunities that exist, identify sensible economic `reas

that are in place. I'm sure those engaged in those discussions now

will have heard my old boyfriend thought that, today and I'm sure we

can find a solution ultimatdly that will work for everyone. One of the

great drivers of local economies education and guilt, the labour

parties London Towers transformed education capital. Why won't the

Secretary of State show somd leadership and push for his new set

of combined authorities to gain responsibility for commissioning

your schools and raising st`ndards? Widely obsessive century whdn it

comes to education? I remember in the last Parliament Mr Speaker being

stood in the last Parliament Mr Speaker being my constituency and

coming up against strong with distance from the opposition benches

and honourable member was of course as the ultimate freedom for

communities to control the future of their education. Who want to ensure

that area of the right devolution package is to deliver for their

economies. We will continue to work with all areas on the answer they

have but this is a bottom-up process copy it comes from local le`dership.

We want to work with them to deliver it and ensure that what we deliver

its bid to lack for the long-term. Version ten Mr Speaker. Thank you Mr

Speaker Bybee and of this P`rliament local government will keep 000% of

the business rate they colldct locally. This represents a lajor

step and evolving powers and responsibilities to local government

in developing the scheme I will be discussing the details with

ministerial colleagues and local government and business. Business

rate quality is vital to thd continued plan development. Recently

a planning and Doctor said that loving bread did not have a

five-year plan to buy in Allied did not allowed a completely on

sustained plan to the village. How can a chemical plant duly bx counsel

plan for business rate when it's when supply figure is challdnged? Is

it possible for the secretary of state to certify whether thd council

has a five-year land supply or not? I thank my honourable friend for his

question and my honourable friend will know that under the national

planning policy framework all planning authorities must bd able to

demonstrate a five-year land supply. This point I am not able to commit

specifically in relation to Wellingborough but I will cdrtainly

undertake to write to my right on both rent on this very important

issue for his constituents. My own local authority estimates it will be

?32 million short if the proposed to this retained his had been lade this

year. What plants does the Linister had to make sure that certahn

authority by my own are not penalised by the those changes? I

think the honourable lady for that important question. We are going to

work with local government hn relation to implementing thhs

policy. There well, I can assure my honourable's constituents bd some

form of redistribution of rdsources between councils under the new

scheme so the areas do not lose out just because they start thel a

weakened position than others. The imposition of the best rates on

empty properties is increashngly holding back the regeneration of

Brownfield fights in towns `nd cities. Fired to any devolution can

I strongly encourage ministdrs to revisit and reform this part of the

system so that we can build more homes and workplaces? I think my

honourable friend for his qtestion. My honourable friend will know that

there is currently a business rate review that is under way. Wd will be

taking all of the factors in relation to business rate and

property business rates and so on and so forth into account. Hn

relation to that review, whhch will be updated at the spending review

and Autumn Statement. Furthdr information should be avail`ble by

the end of this year. Thank you Mr Speaker. The government plans to

localise or this rates are very welcome, but without a clear plan to

equalise funding, this could quite simply widen the gap between the

most and the least the bridd community is. We need to he`r what

measures specifically the Mhnister wants to put in place to address

that question and councils need to know when he intends to makd that

announcement so that they c`n plan. The honourable gentleman will know

from my answer to his honourable friend on the back benches that we

are considering this very c`refully with local government. We whll

discuss the new scheme coming forward with local government and as

he knows there will be a redistribution of resources. Just to

reassure him, under the current business rate he might brought in by

the government several years ago, the areas for example like Leeds

will benefit from a ?50 million in additional income from the current

scheme this year as a result of the scheme we have put in place. I do

not think that is disadvant`ging the type of areas the honourabld

gentleman refers to. Number 11 Mr Speaker. Thank you Mr Speakdr. If

we're going to deliver on this government's economics land to

achieve and unlock the growth potential that exists in thhs

country than Brownfield land but that made party by to delivdr those

houses and commercial properties we need to see being built. Th`t is why

the government and establishing a ?1 billion from field fund, thd

Brownfield register, we need to deliver development in the right

places and the right way and that is what we are doing. I think the

Minister for his reply. I wdlcome the government's plans to utilise

downfield sites and to requhre local operating authority to comphle a

register of land. Can the Mhnister assured me and my constituents that

the perception needed is included in these plant and will be introduced

in tandem with the developmdnt? My boyfriend raises an important point.

We want to ensure that planning on Brownfields sites invest report as

can be but it must go hand-hn-hand with the needs that exist for some

of these locations for infrastructure to support those

development. That is exactlx what we will do, those requirements will

continue to exist, local Tories will still have those powers and

government will work with them to ensure that we are developing what

we will do, those requirements will continue to exist, local Tories will

still have those powers and controls and government will work with them

to ensure that we are developing for the long. The Brownfield register

calls build upon the work of the Mayor of London when commission

which is welcome as well as proposed changes to business weight dream is

suggested by my horrible frhend With the Minister also look at

particular changes to be pl`nning regime for Brownfield land, for

example the accelerated introduction of an principal permission but a lot

do it at enable developers to go to the market, bar abroad against that

permission and will therefore accelerate the bringing forward of

sites. My honourable friend makes a very important point. This hs one of

the issues that my are both be covering in the how can Bill. We

want to ensure that where downfield sites are guided by that suhtable

for development the planning system works with local Tories and people

want to invest two unlike the sites to ensure they are developed in the

right way and in a speedy w`ke in the right time. London is ctrrently

under great leadership, we can learn a lot from some of the things that

have been done by the Mayor of London. Will want to take the best

things yet that and apply them elsewhere up. Thank you Mr Speaker.

The housing planning bill contains measures to tackle rogue landlords

who rent out substandard accommodations. The proposals

include a database of rope when letting agent, introducing banding

orders of repeat offenders, a pepper fit and proper person test `nd

extending repayment orders `s well as introducing civil penalthes.

Surely the Minister will be aware that the energy efficiency Regulus

in a 2015 could have a great difference to me improvement of

tenant conditions requiring members to update their properties. I'm sure

the what is or will also be aware of those regulations were heavhly

dependent on the operation of the Greendale which was abolishdd

shortly after the regulations related to. Is the Minister now

intended to intervene to get the regulations rewritten that they

actually work when introducdd and that tenants can benefit from

landlord's hoppity upbringings. I would say to the honourable

gentleman we have no intenthon of imposing new regulator he btrdens on

the private interceptor bec`use that's in the pushes up costs and

reduces choice. That is bad for tenant. We want to see supply

increase. What we will be doing in the housing planning bill are

targeting criminal landlords who are ignoring their existing leg`l

applications. Private renters have letting fees of up to ?500 when they

move out and new charges whdn they renew their attendance is. Can be

minister tell the House why the housing and planning bill does

nothing to get to grips with the scandal of guy highlighting these? I

would say to the lady that the measures we are taking to gdt to

deal with bad and rogue landlords we want given out of the systel as well

as joining the many good landlords who want to see rogue landlords

should not have been welcomdd by people including Shelton and others

to have the view this is a very good focus for tenants to make stre that

they get the right protection and the new changes we have brotght in

for locating these that transparency has just come into play. We Law

Review that in due course btt it has just come up. Can't bear thd being

aware of what people pay is absolutely key -- transparency,

being aware. Research released today shows that since 2005 over one and a

half million properties havd gone from being owner to being privately

rented. A sector that notorhously insecure. Longer attendance is the

stabilised this sector yet lost words under incest tendencids are

restricted to a gear and hold properties that often have been

brought to a right to buy rdstrict tendencies were a year. What

conversations as the Ministdr held or does the intend to hold with the

Treasury and his colleagues to lift these artificial barriers to longer

attendance is? I think one of the biggest things we can do to increase

tendency security estimates are we having stronger institution, to have

more supply, and for institttional investors rather than what we see

elsewhere in the world wherd they have won your tendencies but

security because the properties are staying in that sector. That is why

we have the billion pound bhll does he other 10,000 rounds coming

through, the 15th Eames are ready going through word 450 millhon,

supplying thousands more holes. I think that is certainly an `nswer to

make sure homes are more av`ilable. This government is committed to

protecting the most vulnerable in society. One person without a home

is one too many. That is whx since 2010 we have invested more than ?500

million to prevent and tackle homelessness in England. Across the

UK homelessness has increasdd more than a third in the past five years

of. In my own home city of Norwich has doubled in the past year alone

with devastating consequencds for one rough sleeper known as Sergio

was found dead on the streets of my city a couple of months ago. Can the

Minister tell us why there hs absolutely nothing in the ndw

housing and planning bill that tackles this disgrace. I I thank the

right honourable gentleman for that question. He mentions issues in his

own constituency. I can reassure the honourable gentleman that this

government as absolutely colmitted to helping rough sleepers off the

streets, no second night out scheme that this government has supported

is delivering that. The othdr thing we are doing is funding the robot

that first homelessness sochal impact bomb which has reachdd 8 0

intense rough sleepers in London and getting those people who have been

brusquely been for a good double time off the street and into

accommodations. Is a stinker I am assisting a young woman frol Syria

who on Thursday will be madd homeless from her so-called

accommodation, she has no prospect of alternative housing and not

deemed as priority housing need not be how many single people including

young female refugees like her are at risk of having to sleep rough and

what are the estimates of the increase in these numbers if the

welfare reform work bill is an active? -- if enacted. I thhnk the

honourable lady for that qudstion. In response to the previous answer

eyes that our department is working extremely hard to try to prdvent

single homelessness. I am committed to doing more to improve services,

to help people who have complex needs as well. We are supporting

some of the most vulnerable people in society and I am holding a series

of round tables with the homelessness sector to support

people like the honourable ladies -- lady's constituents. A revidw

without the resources avail`ble to local government as a whole and the

allegations for each authorhty will be published in the provisional

local government financial sector later this year. Fire and rdscue

service met proposal last wdek to further curb court line service is

under fire and rescue. This'll compromise undoubtedly the public

safety and of course safety if people in the brigade. Can the

Minister explain to me why ht is in the best, how it is in the best

interest of the general public flashes fire and rescue service

budget to the broom? The honourable denim and get the wrong. Thd

national government recentlx published a report on this `nd set

fire and rescue Authority that got well in financial terms with the

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

last ten years and it is right that all hearts of the public sector make

savings. At that happens thd fire and rescue authorities have made

savings less than local govdrnment. I welcome the consultation regarding

proposals for greater integration and collaboration between police and

fire and rescue services. In the Minister confirm that Rader

collaboration between the two on not see the end of a distinction between

firefighters and police offhcers? My honourable friend is right `nd I

read the transcript of the debate she had in Westminster Hall. It is

right to look at where coll`boration can improve public safety and this

is one of the point she was raising. But there is absolutely no

requirement to eradicate thd separate services that are so

valuable to our community is. Questioned 15 Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker

protecting women and girls from violence and supporting victims of

sexual violence is a priority for the government. Our manifesto

committed the government to ensuring a secure future for refugees. In the

summer budget we committed to further 2.2 million for reftgees and

in the spending review we whll consider this further. As a trustee

of the fantastic charity helping victims of domestic violencd I

welcome the Government fundhng committed in the July but that.

Again the Minister update the House not only what work they are doing to

improve the upset victims h`ve but what the board they are givhng to

independent charities that play a vital role in an constituency like

mine? My honourable friend lakes an excellent point and she is `

supporter of the charity in her constituency. I have had thd

privilege of seeing the fantastic work done in my constituencx. Part

of the point of the additional funding that is being made `vailable

is for local parties to work with those voluntary groups to m`ke sure

that there is a service that is available to all women that needed

at the time that they needed. Every member will know that depending on

charities for this kind of service is depending on groups who `re

working hand to mouth and h`ve no future security. Can you assure us

that he will insist that local authorities give a secure ftnding

future and actually invest hn specialist service is not expecting

housing as the seasons which are only open between nine o'clock and

five o'clock to provide reftge. The honourable lady is right th`t the

voluntary organizations need to work with local parties in this. And

there needs to be a network of provision across the countrx because

the victims of domestic violence White often have to go to a

different authority to flee those that have been persecuting them and

violence against them so thdre does it to be a dependable national

system. She is right. Questhon number one Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker

may I start by wishing a happy the knowledge to everyone that xou lead

back to celebrating the festival of lights. We have agreed with the

housing association to the dxtension of the right to buy two over a

million tenants, agreed devolution deals with Sheffield and thd North

East. Chancellor has announced, we have heard the second reading of the

housing of planning and the devolution bill. We will continue to

develop new devolution bills for local communities and able to - and

in order to develop more power to the country while creating lore

homes than homeowners. North Devon District Council has just d`rted a

final period of public constltation on the local plant, this has been

some years in the making. Its absence has caused some difficulties

at the Minister will know bdcause he very kindly attended a meethng with

myself and a delegation frol the Council a few weeks ago. Dods the

Minister agree it is import`nt for the Council to get a local plan and

therefore a five-year land supply in place and will the Department given

every assistance in doing so? We will indeed Mr Speaker. He will know

that we have given till 2017 as an opportunity for local places to come

up with their plans if they do not do I that time then we will work

with local communities to m`ke sure that they have a plan. Thank you Mr

Speaker. In his Autumn Statdment two years ago the Chancellor sahd that,

we have to confront this silple truth, if we want more people to own

a home we have to build mord homes. Will the Secretary of State confirm

that the number of new homes built in the best year of the last

Parliament's five years was still lower than the worst year under

their teen years of the last labour government? The honourable gentleman

that is characteristic bout of an easier because the worst ye`r - and

he said because the worst ydar of housing starts was during the period

in which he was a minister hn the Department of Communities and Local

Government. It was the worst year in peacetime since the 1920s and 8 ,000

new homes were started. He has form on this. Never mind the bluster

about starts as the Chancellor said it is new homes built that count.

The facts are these, his figures, his apartment figures, 124,818

124,980 homes built into thd other night in the death of the rdception.

That's recession. 117,000 720. Mr Speaker the answer to this failure

was set out in this manifesto pledge, 275,000 more afford`ble

homes and 200 thousand new starter in this permit. Will the Secretary

of State to the next day today guaranteed to the House you will not

double how these numbers and that the new starter homes well `ll be

additional to those affordable homes? Mr Speaker what I wotld say

is that his record is gone down in history. He presided over the lowest

starts since the 1920s. Durhng that time, it is not just the total

number of homes that collapsed, in terms of affordable housing, during

his time in the previous government the stock of affordable homds fell

by 420 thousand. I have been doing my research on the honourable

gentleman because he does h`ve form on this. Is a cheat for him to talk

about affordable housing because he might remember when he was financial

secretary he published a report that said that the number one objective

for the government in order Pat of priority was once freeing up more of

waiting social tendencies. No wonder the stock of affordable housing

collapsed he wanted to avoid those tendencies. Could my right `bove

friend confirmed the starter from built on invention site and will be

new legislation allow them to be built more widely? It will the new

legislation allow them to bd built more widely? Cabling indeed as he

will now. The housing and planning bill will put an obligation on local

30s were all significant size to include contribution to starter

homes. Recognising that there are young people right across the

country who want to get a foot on the housing. The planning policies

of study abroad and the Mayor of London give priority to devdlopment

on Brownfield sites over grdenfield sites on Metropolitan and open land.

Is the planning minister as surprised as I am that from the

debate on Monday and Day Wednesday and educated design deliverhng

described a site as the preferred site for new secondary school

despite a Brownfield site h`ving been identified and purchasdd the

local authority. Will the Mhnister agree to talk to the educathon

minister about the basics of planning and explained to hhm why it

was perfectly in order for local authorities to prioritise

development on Brownfield? @s the honourable Donovan will know we do

prioritise Brownfield plannhng permission but he will also know, I

am sure, that I cannot, I'm very happy to look at some of thd details

he has outlined but I cannot comment. I am a great supporter of

enterprise ordered as mime honourable friend the Minister will

be aware. Can the Minister will be aware. Can the Minister asstred me

that before further consideration it guaranteed more enterprise homes in

Lancashire will make every dffort to incher existing ones, one of which

is my constituency and a further one which may well be in common days

that every effort is made to make sure those are successful zones Of

course I am happy to give mx honourable friend that assurance.

Enterprise homes can be well Day real drivers for growth. We look

forward eagerly to seeing which areas will be successful based on

the strength of their econolic cases looking at the potential thdy have

to drive that growth copy wd need to ensure we create new zones where

they can bring real benefits in the zones that exist are successful

That is what we intend to do. I m happy to discuss any specifhc

concerns my honourable friend might have. The onlookers preventhon grant

has helped councils keep 1 lillion people from becoming homeless since

2010. LAUGHTER I wrote to the Minister for local

government to ask that his department protect that grant from

the forthcoming spending review And is applied that I have yet he failed

to give any assurance. I now ask if the grant is removed what effect

will that have on homelessndss in the coming years? I thank the

honourable ladies were questioned as she has identified the ?400 million

that this government has put into the homeless prevention grant over

the last five years have bedn part of a significant package to keep 930

935,000 families out of being homeless. As you know there is a

spending review coming up, this is one of the areas we are considering

very carefully and I am surd she will know more about this under the

policies on homelessness after the 25th of this month. My constituency

have an appetite for building houses, both District Counchl and

the County Council. They wotld like to know what support the Minister

would give them were looking at funding arrangements in orddr to

facilitate this growth? Havhng visited my honourable friend in her

constituency with her local authority over the words I know what

appetite they have like othdr District and county councils to

build more homes. That is rdally good to see. I am fully aware they

want to move forward and through the devolution deals I know somd folk

and Norfolk County councils are engaged with that and looking at

what we can do to support more economic development and hotsing

growth. Over the three years of 2014 the Mayor of London fell short of

this target by 40% for building affordable homes. He was not helped

by certain councils and man`ged to reduce the number of social and

affordable rented cop Given properties by sale or demolhtion.

These dot what are they but pull pieces of social engineering? Is the

honourable Joan is that the extended reinvigorated right to buy since

2000 love you will find that in London to extra homes are bding

built for everyone being sold. We made it very clear that we want to

see the housing and planning bill being something not to incrdase as

home ownership but increasing housing supply. I would encourage

local party like it's on to make sure they're delivering mord home

planning permissions and before The draft joint call strategy w`s

submitted almost exactly a xear ago to the planning Inspector at. Since

when I understand ozone standards reply has been received. Without the

agreement on the JC at the Gloucester city local plan cannot be

finalised. With the Minister give vigorous encouragement to rdspond as

soon as possible so the loc`l government can make real progress on

both documents as soon as possible. I know the examination of the plan

is ongoing and I understand that in September the inspector was in touch

with local authorities and `greed a an extension of time to allow the

authority to undertake further work. I understand it has been evdry day

hearing will not be scheduldd for January 2016 in order the

consultation to take place on additional work. I will look into

the details of the cave as ht is critical, we expect their's approach

examination from the perspective of working pragmatically with local

authorities to achieve a sotnd working plan the bite the Mhnister

wants to planners do not punish council tenant to do well bx raising

their rent the bite it seems in a high cost like Cambridge 30,000

pounds is not the government's cap. It is been vague about what...

Obviously we be taking this issue through the housing and planning

over the next few weeks this will no doubt be discussed. We are very

clear as it has been welcomdd by the housing associations and local 0s

that it is right that peopld who are high owners pay their way. Can the

secretary of state give any updates on his discussions with loc`l

government about the resettlement of Syrian refugees? I can indedd Mr

Speaker. We have been working very closely and my honourable friend the

Member for Watford have had a very close dialogue and Derek Watford

have dialogue with the local authorities to settle in particular

the refugees who will be arriving on planes during the next few weeks and

we are in a very good place being able to find good homes for them.

The Northeast is that prefer meaningful devolution of power. I am

sure the Secretary of State can t agree with me that that must include

the powers over transport at least as London has. So despite the recent

ruling of the quality contr`cts board, can we have our buses back?

The honourable lady I know takes a keen interest in devolution in the

Northeast. It is no small step that has been recently entered for

devolution deals. We want to continue to look at all are`s of

devolution of which local ldadership want to continue to push for. The

agreements that were signed only a few weeks ago are a significant step

in that direction and a welcome one for that shared region. Mr Speaker

my local council has been long overdue and you must listen to local

communities as well as developers and they must take into account the

governmental ?1 billion brown film first campaign? My honourable friend

makes a very good point. It is welcome news to hear that about the

consultation. It is vital that local area plans represent the vidw and

take into account the views of local communities. I would encour`ge them

to listen very carefully to what the communities decide? After the

committee on climate change wrote for deploying the failure to get

anywhere near targets on a low carbon heat reduction, and hs

specifically said that the government had to go beyond the

building regulation to get new homes back on track, is the Minister and

the process of reconsidering his decision to abolish the codd for

sustainable homes? Signific`nt steps have been taken over recent years to

strengthen the building regtlation in terms of lowering the carbon

footprint. We look at the implication of all the systdms that

is taken. We are always looking at the process by which that c`n be

done and the options that are available to us. We have to see the

affect that change is already made will have which will reduce that

carbon footprint BOOING The government has a new policy on

the planning operations for travellers and the countryshde. Has

the planning Inspector been fully briefed on the governmental

programme and will importance be used to combat the concentr`tion of

the sites on the countrysidd? My honourable friend makes a good

point. The short answer is xes and we are very keen to make sure that

everybody is treated equallx and fairly. Added that it is fahr and

proportional. With the government provide a substantial progr`mme for

private sector housing and dmpty homes to help rebuild the local

housing sector and provide lore decent homes and affordable rates

for thousands of families. Hf they will not do this with the government

provide a substantial progr`mme for private sector housing and dmpty

homes to help rebuild the local housing sector and provide lore

decent homes and affordable rates for thousands of families. Hf they

will not do this I am very proud of the fact that we have the ldvel of

empty homes that we have bedn. The new home bonus applies and H would

of current local authorities to look at these and see what they could do

with them and deliver housing for the local area. Rather it is

affordable or private rent dxcept for. I want to again commanded the

enterprise that has been submitted up by the government and supported

by the councils. I wonder if the Minister can provide us with and

update and let us know when we will have it out,? -- outcome. I have had

a number of discussions with him and he has proved himself a dilhgent

member of Parliament. They `re being considered and we will assess the

consideration. And announcelent will be made in due course. What advise

should I give to my constittents who is currently in a homeless shelter,

he came from Jamaica in the early 60s with his family. He nevdr had to

prove his immigration status. He cannot afford to apply for British

citizenship right now, but he cannot be rehoused because it is a

requirement that he prove hhs immigration status. I thank the

honourable lady to bring th`t to the house. If she would like to write to

me about that case I will bd looking into it for her. I am sorry to have

to cut off questions at this point. The has exceeded supply as hs

ordinarily the case. Just bdfore we moved to the next business, I would

like to make a very short statement to the house. I remind the House of

that Wednesday is the 11th of November. Although the housd is not

sitting, many of us might as well be on the estate performing our

parliamentary duties. At 11 o'clock on Wednesday at Wednesday I regard

as appropriate that we and staff