Key Facts

• Clause 31 enables the Secretary of State to make regulations allowing Mayors to delegate fire and rescue functions to the chief constable.
• The provision is designed to provide an option for blue light integration between police and fire services.
• It mirrors section 107EA of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.
• North Yorkshire faces challenges with its fire and rescue service due to funding deficiencies.
• The amendment would enable alternative funding streams, including grants from the Secretary of State.
• Night-time cover removal and reduction of fire appliances are planned for Harrogate and Scarborough stations, impacting response times by up to 8 minutes in some areas.
• The Home Secretary provided precept flexibility to eight authorities with reserves but not to North Yorkshire due to spent reserves.
• North Yorkshire is now one of the worst-funded fire authorities, risking public safety during tinder-dry conditions.
• Fire incidents peaked at 1 million in 2003-04 but have been halved within a decade.
• North Yorkshire fire service conducts household and wellbeing checks, addressing road traffic accidents and river safety issues.
• The M1 junction 26 area has two appliances, with periodic proposals to reduce this number to one.
• Huge strides have been made in reducing fire incidents due to proactive education and structural factors.
• Mountain rescue and bay rescue services work with fire and rescue services in the speaker's constituency.
• Rural communities like Sedbergh, Staveley face a lack of full-time firefighters due to demographic changes.
• The amendment aims to provide funding for full-time fire pumps where retained firefighter roles are not being filled.
• Clause 15 requires a two-thirds supermajority for a change in the name of a county combined authority.
• Clause 39 allows an alternative mayoral title to be decided by a simple majority.
• Communities considering devolution deals are thinking about using non-mayoral titles, particularly in non-urban areas.
• Clause 41 allows the Secretary of State to change the list of potential titles for Combined County Authorities by regulation.
• Amendments 53, 54, 55, and 56 aim to mandate public consultation report publication.
• Norris emphasizes the importance of public interest, consultation, and engagement in proposed structures.
• Amendment 40 aims to add a requirement for reporting on whether CCA has access to fullest conferred powers.
• Neil O'Brien argues against using 'fullest conferred powers' as it is undefinable and incalculable under the current devolution framework.
• Amendment 41 aims to leave out subsections (3)(b) and (c) in clause 48.
• Amendment 42 would require the Secretary of State to offer a general power to all combined county authorities if given to one authority under clause 49.
• Amendment 41 is criticized for its restrictive impact.
• Amendment 42 is not pressed to a vote but discussed as potentially enabling a more flexible approach for authorities.
• The Minister argues against a one-size-fits-all approach and supports individual agreements between areas and the Secretary of State.
• Clause 52 grants the Secretary of State power to issue written guidance about anything that could be done under chapter 1 of the Bill by a CCA, combined authority, county council, district council or integrated transport authority.
• Alex Norris suggests producing guidance within six months after Royal Assent.
• The Minister indicates that areas wishing to establish CCAs will receive support during their devolution deal negotiation and no immediate plans exist for issuing formal guidance.
• The Local Government Association highlighted that rising energy prices, inflation, and minimum wage pressures will add £3.6 billion in extra costs on council budgets by 2024-25.
• Since 2010, councils have faced a £15 billion cut to their central government grants.
• The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s prudential code for capital financing in local authorities needs to be followed when making borrowing decisions.
• Amendment 61 would raise the maximum level at which local authorities can set council tax on long-term empty dwellings to 300.
• Subsections (1A) to (1C) would be omitted as part of this amendment.
• Other amendments aim to reduce time periods before a higher rate of Council Tax is charged, from one year to six months.
• The UK is facing a housing crisis with steep price rises in coastal towns and holiday hotspots due to second home ownership.
• Amendment 61 proposes a 300% premium on long-term empty dwellings or periodically occupied properties instead of the current 100%.
• Amendment 62 aims to close loopholes allowing property owners to avoid full council tax by letting their property for short periods.
• Amendment 63 raises the threshold at which a dwelling is liable for business rates from 140 days to 250 days and 70 days to 182 days.
• The Rural Services Network report highlighted rural England's neediness compared to other regions.
• In Elterwater, before the pandemic, over 83% of homes were not occupied.
• Estate agents in Cumbria estimate that 50%-80% of house sales are for second home purchases.
• Census data shows a 30% increase in retired population and significant decrease in younger age groups in rural areas.
• A survey by Cumbria Tourism found that 63% of tourism businesses operated below capacity due to staff shortages.
• The £3.5 billion tourism economy in Cumbria faces challenges due to staffing issues.
• If council tax on holiday lets in Coniston were trebled, it could raise over £1 million annually.
• York had 8 million visitors pre-pandemic.
• Investors are purchasing properties as second homes or holiday lets, pushing out local residents.
• People have been offered £70,000 more for their social housing to buy and then resell the property in the investment economy.
• £11.5 billion invested in the affordable homes programme.
• The Bill could double the council tax bill for second homes properties, providing additional income for local services.
• A typical band D property in North Norfolk would face an annual bill of £8,120 under a 300% premium.
• Some properties used as second homes are in band D, paying around £1,852.45 in council tax.
• The speaker notes that half of these properties may be in band B, paying approximately £1,440 in council tax.
• A roundtable discussion on Airbnb issues is planned with the Housing Minister for York.
• Vacancy rates in some areas range from 50% to 80%.
• Amendment 63 remains an active process.
• The Government settled on a 100-day measure for balance.