Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Planning Authorities: Designation Warnings

Monday 5 June 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Luke Evans asked the minister about the reasons for warning letters sent to ten planning authorities in England regarding designation.
  • The Secretary of State wrote warning letters to ten local authorities on April 12 for not meeting performance levels on speed of decision making for non-major applications.
  • The minister acknowledged Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council's low performance rate of 46%, the lowest in the country, and expressed readiness to take action where necessary.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Luke Evans Con Hinckley and Bosworth
Local Government
Context

The question arises from the government's warning to local authorities regarding their decision-making speed on non-major applications.

Question

For what reason has he written to 10 planning authorities in England warning of designation?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

The Government expect all local planning authorities to deliver an efficient and effective planning service. On 12 April, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State wrote to 10 local authorities that did not meet the required performance levels for speed of decision making on non-major applications. Those local authorities have been given the opportunity to demonstrate improved performance. If the performance falls below the required threshold, the Secretary of State will use his powers to designate the local planning authority later this year.

Answered
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Q2 Luke Evans Con Hinckley and Bosworth
Local Government
Context

The question follows up on the government's warning to local authorities, focusing specifically on Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council which had a performance rate of 46%, the lowest in the country.

Question

There are 329 local planning authorities in England, 315 of which performed above the 70% expected performance rate. With others in Leicestershire all above 84%, my local council, the Lib Dem-run Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, was at 46%, which is the lowest level in the country. The staff in the department are doing their best with the Lib Dem failures, but what more can a local MP and the Government do to help support the staff and our community to get the support they need?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

I thank my hon. Friend for bringing this important matter to the House's attention. Where authorities fall behind, as in the case of that Lib Dem-run local authority, which he has highlighted effectively, we will not hesitate to take action. We are working to provide all local authorities with the support they need, including by increasing planning fees and ensuring that planning departments have the skills and capacity they need. I am happy to meet him to discuss this further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions for supporting Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council staff were not detailed beyond an offer to meet.

How: Will Not Hesitate To Take Action, I Am Happy To Meet Him To Discuss This Further

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