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Plan for Neighbourhoods 2025-03-04
04 March 2025
Lead MP
Alex Norris
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Housing
Other Contributors: 46
At a Glance
Alex Norris raised concerns about plan for neighbourhoods 2025-03-04 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced a £1.5 billion plan for neighbourhoods across the UK, aiming to support growth and access to opportunity in 75 places that have been undervalued and underestimated by previous governments. The plan doubles the policy activities that can be considered by neighbourhood boards, includes social housing representatives, and provides certainty of funding up to £20 million per place over a decade. Each area will receive £2 million annually to spend on interventions such as modernising social housing, community-led housing, skills support, cohesion, childcare, and more.
David Simmonds
Con
Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
The shadow Minister acknowledged the history behind the statement but questioned how this limited project fits into a broader levelling-up ambition. He highlighted previous Government initiatives such as the £2.6 billion fund for regeneration and communities and the £1.5 billion long-term plan for tax, which local leaders welcomed. Simmonds raised concerns about accountability of neighbourhood boards and the lack of clear purpose for the funds allocated.
Andrew Griffith
Con
Abbottabad
Expresses concern about the broadening of criteria for funding allocation, suggesting that this approach will not reflect local needs and circumstances. He criticises the proposed process as a 'Whitehall box-ticking' exercise.
Defends the plan's continuation from previous government commitments, highlighting issues with unfunded programmes and emphasising flexibility in resource allocation to support community-driven initiatives.
Kevin Hollinrake
Con
Thirsk and Malton
Calls for value for money in the funding allocation process.
Florence Eshalomi
Lab/Co-op
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Questions the setup of neighbourhood boards, seeking clarity on recruitment processes and potential conflicts between local authorities and these boards. Advocates for a community right to buy legislation.
Gideon Amos
LD
Taunton and Wellington
Welcomes the move towards objective criteria but raises concerns about financial strain on councils due to lack of resources, urging substantial funding and resource provision. Supports inclusion of nature and climate specialists in neighbourhood boards.
Andy McDonald
Lab
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
No extracted contribution text available for this contributor yet.
Alex Norris
Lab
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Welcomes the Government’s commitment but expresses disappointment that no community in his constituency has qualified. Asks for confirmation on steps taken to invest in deprived urban areas.
Andrew Mitchell
Con
Sutton Coldfield
Expresses gratitude for receiving towns fund money from the previous Government and praises the Minister's commitment to honouring this promise. Suggests a visit to Sutton Coldfield to see how well taxpayers' money is being spent.
Alex Norris
Lab
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Grateful for conversations with Mr Mitchell, acknowledges that the difference lies in connection with town councils versus local authorities. Pledges to visit Sutton Coldfield as proposed.
Melanie Onn
Lab
Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes
Welcomes the inclusion of her constituency's towns on the list for long-term funding but asks about future arrangements for neighbourhood boards, seeking assurance that there will be an opportunity to review these.
Alex Norris
Lab
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Confirms a review of neighbourhood boards by the end of next month. Encourages community involvement in planning processes.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Asks about the geographical footprint and role of unelected new boards versus parish and town councils, seeking clarification on boundaries.
Alex Norris
Lab
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Explains that local authorities will be fundholders with only one exception. Boundaries reflect human rather than political geographies, but tweaks can be made if necessary.
Salford
Welcomes the plan's delivery on unmet promises but highlights a fire in Pendleton that left communities without leisure facilities. Requests a meeting to discuss rebuilding efforts.
Alex Norris
Lab
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Agrees to meet Rebecca Long Bailey to discuss assistance for Salford regarding the reconstruction of vital facilities.
Sarah Dyke
LD
Glastonbury and Somerton
Welcomes social housing commitment but expresses disappointment that Somerset will not benefit. Asks if there are plans to extend funding beyond the 75 local authorities confirmed today.
Alex Norris
Lab
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Acknowledges other available funds such as the enhanced local government settlement and shared prosperity fund, suggesting scope for extension if model proves effective.
Helena Dollimore
Lab/Co-op
Hastings and Rye
Welcomes commitment of £20 million for Hastings but asks how residents can feed into the process for spending the money responsibly based on community priorities.
Alex Norris
Lab
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Encourages a quick establishment of a board in Hastings, emphasising engagement with the local community to develop neighbourhood plans effectively.
Stephen Gethins
SNP
Arbroath and Broughty Ferry
Compliments the Minister on Arbroath's exceptional effort but seeks assurance that devolution will be respected, asking how previous EU funding promises can be matched up.
Alex Norris
Lab
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Acknowledges Arbroath’s consultation model. Assures respect for devolution while emphasising the need to reset relationships with devolved Governments, allowing areas that have made progress to move at pace.
Matt Rodda
Lab
Reading Central
Welcomes the overall policy but inquires about incorporating successful initiatives like high street action zones into this new framework and how local matters will be considered.
Alex Norris
Lab
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Promises to draw on best initiatives such as high street accelerators, community ownership, and funding assets of community value, ensuring comprehensive support for all communities.
Torbay
Welcomes the funding but expresses concern about delays and asks if it's possible to pre-spend funds due to ready opportunities in Torbay.
Jo Platt
Lab/Co-op
Leigh and Atherton
Welcomes the funding boost for Leigh, highlighting its impact on local organisations and businesses. Acknowledges the plan as a step towards empowering communities to shape their areas.
Acknowledges Leigh’s creativity and supports the idea of community empowerment through partnerships with central Government. Emphasises that decisions should be made by local people rather than politicians.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
Welcomes the announcement for Northern Ireland, particularly Coleraine and Londonderry. Asks for a review towards the end of this Parliament to assess progress and effectiveness.
Agrees on the importance of reviewing plans after four years and by the end of the current Parliament. Emphasises the need for realistic planning without backlog funding accumulation.
Terry Jermy
Lab
South West Norfolk
Gratefully receives the announcement, focusing on Thetford's potential regeneration after 14 years of decline. Asks how funds can be spent quickly and effectively in the short term.
Commits to close collaboration with recipients for effective planning and provides pre-approved interventions for quick implementation, ensuring value for money.
Lee Dillon
LD
Newbury
Questions the 75% capital and 25% revenue split, suggesting potential local flexibility. Suggests exploring neighbourhood boards to enhance community autonomy.
Acknowledges the principle of autonomy but emphasises that any changes must maintain programme integrity. Confirms no flexibility on the current split but commits to evaluate effectiveness.
Frank McNally
Lab
Coatbridge and Bellshill
Commends the funding for Coatbridge, highlighting its importance for regeneration after previous Government's unfulfilled promises. Acknowledges support for local decision-making.
Acknowledges Coatbridge’s needs and confirms that funding was crucially delivered despite initial doubts about availability.
Seamus Logan
SNP
Aberdeenshire North and Moray East
Welcomes the statement, focusing on Peterhead's potential benefits. Asks if there is scope for reorganisation of boards to extend their geographical footprint.
Confirms consideration of common-sense boundary changes but maintains programme integrity by avoiding significant population increases.
Sarah Hall
Lab/Co-op
Warrington South
Welcomes the empowerment of communities in decision-making, focusing on grassroots sports teams and fan ownership.
Emphasises commitment to fan ownership through initiatives like the community ownership fund and shared prosperity fund.
Knowsley
Welcomes funding for Knowsley, highlighting Centre 63's importance. Invites Minister to discuss further empowerment of communities in shaping their home.
Supports the need for local purpose and commits to discussions on empowering Kirkby through the programme.
West Dunbartonshire
Welcomes funding for West Dunbartonshire and Clydebank, stressing community identity and desire for shaping their area. Asks for confirmation of local decision-making on fund usage.
Agrees on empowering communities to decide on fund usage, aiming for maximum transformational impact through local plans.
Jim Dickson
Lab
Dartford
Welcomes the plan's emphasis on community agency in spending decisions. Questions how critical projects outside designated areas might benefit from this programme.
Acknowledges the need for discussions during the spending review phase to support critical projects beyond designated places.
John Slinger
Lab
Rugby
Pays tribute to the Minister’s visit and roundtable discussion in Rugby. Acknowledges Labour borough councillors' efforts towards vibrant community and business sectors.
Government Response
The Minister outlined a £1.5 billion plan for neighbourhoods, emphasising support for growth and access to opportunity in 75 places across the UK. He highlighted that each area will receive up to £20 million of funding over a decade and introduced new objectives such as building thriving places, stronger communities, and empowering people. Defends the plan's continuation from previous government commitments, emphasises transparency in decision-making processes, outlines plans for neighbourhood boards and community right to buy legislation.
Shadow Response
David Simmonds
Shadow Response
The shadow Minister questioned the accountability of neighbourhood boards and the clarity of purpose for the allocated funds. He noted that these issues sit alongside changes in the proposed planning White Paper and raised concerns about local democracy being vital for effective board operation.
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