Local Government Bill - Lords amendment 117 and related amendments

Asked the Minister to reassure that district councils' voices will not be lost in combined county authorities.

Welcomed an amendment addressing issues of developers clearing sites without regard for wildlife, expressing gratitude to the Minister for her commitment to wildlife and the environment.

Asked to give way during an intervention but did not provide a specific argument or stance.

Agreed that strong local leadership is key for rural areas' development and level-up initiatives. Asked to give way during an intervention but did not provide a specific argument or stance.

Expressed concern over bank closures, particularly in West Kirby where there will be a banking hub that may not meet everyone's needs. Emphasised the importance of traditional banking services for those who cannot access online services.

Asked what extra powers local communities will have to decide on the number of new homes in any given area, emphasising the importance of realistic numbers for development.

Reinforced concerns about district councils being sidelined in combined authorities and asked for reassurance that their vote on relevant areas will be honoured.

Asked the Minister to assure the House of the implementation of a compromise set out in a letter from December, aimed at amplifying local control over developments while still delivering necessary new homes.

Agreed that the most important thing is for local authorities to have their local plans in place, highlighting an example of a Liberal Democrat-run council without such a plan.

Expressed concerns about the Government's decision not to accept Lords amendment 45, which aims to align national planning policy with net zero emissions. Suggested that this could undermine progress towards achieving net zero.

Congratulated the Minister on her stewardship of the Bill and expressed confidence in the Government's approach to levelling up, environment and devolving power locally. He defended the Government’s policies as being beneficial for the whole country.

Asked when an updated National Planning Policy Framework would be available, following updates made in the Bill. Highlighted the need for transparency and timely information.

Pressed the Minister on why she did not accept Lords amendment 45, which seeks to ensure that all planning policies support net zero emissions. Suggested it was a bewildering decision given the Climate Change Committee's call for radical reform.

Asked about the timeline for publication of the updated National Planning Policy Framework, given that Royal Assent was expected soon. Requested transparency regarding when this document would be made available.

Questioned whether the Government’s stance on Lords amendment 46, related to healthy homes and prevention of ill health from poor-quality housing, was sufficient. Requested clarity regarding measures being taken to address this issue.

Asked about potential impacts of Lords amendment 80 on flooding in housing developments and requested assurance that measures would be in place to prevent future issues.

Inquired about the potential for planning policy changes to address flooding concerns in housing developments, specifically highlighting an example from his constituency.

Asked about how proposed amendments might interact with major infrastructure projects and protections for ancient woodland, referencing a specific example in Dover.

Inquired about the status of consultations on community benefits from onshore wind projects and requested information on potential monetary benefits to communities.

Supports the need for people's voices to be heard in deciding who should represent them as police and crime commissioners.

Welcomes measures to ensure the right tenure, particularly due to the housing crisis. Pushes for acceptance of Lords amendment 46 on healthy homes and built environment principles.

Congratulates the Minister on presenting the Government’s approach to over 100 amendments. Supports amendments that address thermal comfort, crime risk, noise pollution, natural light access for homes, and proper housing standards. Highlights the need for social housing development as per Dr Christopher Addison's first action in 1919. Calls for a re-examination of the Government's decision to ban parish councils from meeting remotely and opposes the distinction between qualifying and non-qualifying leaseholders. Suggests that green space should be incorporated into healthy homes.

Serves as the SNP’s levelling-up spokesperson, thanking colleagues for their scrutiny. Criticises the Tory Government's approach to the Bill, labelling it muddled, confused, and unfit for purpose. Questions the funding distribution in Scotland, highlighting that £177 million out of a promised £2.1 billion was allocated in the second round of levelling-up funding.

Supports Lords amendment 6 and highlights the need for rural-proofing reports considering economic, social outcomes, and specific needs of rural communities. Acknowledges engagement with the ministerial team but seeks clarification on how rural areas will be addressed without sidelining more densely populated regions.

Emphasised the importance of rural areas in the context of levelling up, supported amendments to improve rural bus services and planning classes for second homes. Argued that off-grid fuels have been significantly more expensive than gas in heating homes, highlighting the need for a rural proofing report as vital to ensuring cost-of-living concerns are addressed. Advocated for devolution tailored specifically to Somerset's needs.

Mr Liam Fox expressed his support for the Bill and welcomed Sarah Dyke's maiden speech. He highlighted the importance of local plans in North Somerset, noting that 40% of land is green belt, 30% floodplain and 12% is an area of outstanding natural beauty. He argued against national housing targets as they cannot be applied equally to areas with different natural constraints. Fox also praised the protection of the green belt and nature recovery strategies proposed in amendments. He called for a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) before Prorogation and asked the Minister to ensure that planning inspectors follow the new legislation during any hiatus period.

The Government's refusal to allow local councils to pass on true costs leads to poor planning services, delayed housing delivery and unaccountable developers breaching conditions. Local residents subsidise big developers and the vast underfunding leaves effective enforcement a distant memory in England.

Concerned about Lords amendment 44, which aims to address scrutiny deficits of national development management policies. Sees NDMPs as reducing transparency and local participation in plan making, potentially prioritising over local plans without public consultation guarantees. Wants clarity on when no consultation is appropriate under the new legislation.

Supports Lords amendment 44 for parliamentary scrutiny of NDMPs. Advocates for local authority discretion in setting planning fees to account for regional differences. Supports a register of disrepair for schools and hospitals via amendment 241. Criticises undermining Building Safety Act provisions through proposed changes in subsection (5). Highlights rural connectivity issues and supports local housing needs identified by amendments 6 and 329.

Supports the Government in rejecting most Lords amendments but calls for more clarity on national planning policy framework and definition of needs. Praises amendment 44 for amending the five-year supply of land calculation issue faced by Wokingham Borough Council. Raises concerns about the effectiveness of devolved government, citing Scotland as an example where public investment was higher but growth rate lower than England's. Advocates for a better balance in housing development to attract private investment and levelling-up opportunities to areas that need it more.

Supports Lords amendment 239 and Government amendments that improve childcare provision. Urges the Minister to reflect on virtual meetings in local government, expanding accessibility for unpaid councillors, rural proofing principles, consultation processes, and preventing inappropriate development in floodplains.

Intervened to agree with Mr Smith's point about the importance of expanding opportunities for people to participate fully as local councillors, especially those who are not paid full-time.

Ms Villiers expressed support for additional protections for ancient woodland and urged Ministers to consider allowing councils to meet remotely under certain circumstances. She highlighted concerns over excessive housing targets leading to loss of agricultural, greenfield, and green-belt land, citing examples from her constituency. She supported the 'December compromise' but stressed that reform must be delivered effectively through the new national planning policy framework (NPPF). She called for more clarity on how 'brownfield first' will be implemented in practice and urged for local plans based on reasonable evidence to be accepted by the Planning Inspectorate. She argued against central control over local development management policies as proposed in the Bill, stating that it undermines local decision making. Ms Villiers welcomed Government's amendment but urged parliamentary scrutiny of NDMPs equivalent to those applying to NPSs.

Supports Lords amendment 22, which allows local councils more flexibility in how they hold meetings. Emphasises that it would give small rural parish councils and disabled leaders the ability to attend hybrid meetings. He supports the devolution element of the Bill as it unlocks investment for his region and will bring significant road and rail projects into scope at a local level.

Expressed concerns about the Government not accepting Lords amendment 13, which would enable district councils greater involvement in combined authorities. Raised issues of power centralization and the importance of local decision-making to economic development.

Highlighted concerns about the Government's opposition to Lords amendments 22, 46, and 327. Raised issues regarding virtual council meetings, healthy homes and neighbourhoods through regulatory frameworks, and climate change mitigation in planning policy.

Responded to points made by colleagues across the House, thanked hon. Members for their remarks and assured them that the Government have listened carefully. Emphasised the importance of face-to-face democracy in local council meetings. Stressed the need for devolution arrangements and involvement of district councils without hindrance. Addressed rural-proofing and agricultural land use for food production by stating the Government's commitment to protecting food production and rural environments. Assured Members that the national planning policy framework response will be published shortly. Mentioned significant funding investment in Scotland (£394 million).

Intervened to suggest consulting parish councils and having a debate in the House of Commons regarding Government responses. Argued that Parliament should not limit how authorities discuss their powers.

Intervened to ask for guidance from the Minister on planning inspectors' decisions in line with new legislation until a new NPPF is published.

During an earlier intervention, Wendy Morton requested clarity from the Minister regarding the duty to co-operate. She is seeking a specific answer on this point before concluding her remarks.