SUPPLEMENT TO THE VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

PETITION FROM KAREN SLOUGH AND OTHER EMPLOYEES OF HER MAJESTY'S REVENUE AND CUSTOMS, KETTERING

26th February 2007

To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled.

The Humble Petition of Karen Slough and other employees of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, Kettering,

Sheweth

That Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs tax office in Kettering provides an important service to the local community, but that its future is threatened by the reorganisation of tax offices in Northamptonshire. Staff who work at the Kettering tax offices have provided loyal and dedicated service to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs over many years with a significant number of staff having served for a long period of time.

Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House calls upon Her Majesty's Government to make an early announcement that the tax offices at Kettering will be retained so that the local community will continue to be served by a tax office based in Kettering.

And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

PETITION FROM 100 RESIDENTS OF ASHBY-DE-LA-ZOUCH AND NEARBY AREAS

27th February 2007

To the House of Commons.

The Petition of 100 residents of Ashby-de-la-Zouch and nearby areas,

Declares that climate change is the most significant single threat to development and could undo decades of progress in fighting poverty as it is vulnerable people in poor countries who are affected first and most seriously.

Further declares that analysis of environmental research data demonstrates that the United Kingdom—because of its extensive and global economic reach—has a far greater impact on global carbon emissions than the 2 per cent. the government declares and should thus bear a far greater responsibility for reducing the world's CO2 emissions.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Chancellor of the Exchequer to ensure that, as an example to other nations engaging in action on the very pressing topic of climate change, included in the Climate Change Bill to be presented to Parliament this session, will be a requirement that companies registered in the UK should calculate and declare their carbon emissions (including those of their international activities) to a nationally agreed and mandatory standard.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

PETITION FROM THE SOUTHAMPTON AND DISTRICT ALZHEIMER'S SOCIETY

27th February 2007

To the House of Commons.

The Petition of the Southampton and District Alzheimer's Society,

Declares that we are outraged by the decision of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to restrict NHS prescriptions for Alzheimer's drugs. These treatments are proven to provide real benefits to thousands of people at all stages of Alzheimer's disease and cost just £2.50 per person per day.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Secretary of State for Health to ensure that doctors continue to be able to prescribe Alzheimer's drug treatments to patients who can benefit from them.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

PETITION FROM THE USERS OF POST OFFICES IN THE CONSTITUENCY OF MID DORSET AND NORTH POOLE

27th February 2007

To the House of Commons.

The Petition of the users of post offices in the constituency of Mid Dorset and North Poole,

Declares that post offices are a vital part of the social fabric of the local community and must be preserved. The Petitioners rely on the important services provided by their local post office.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to support local post offices and not to close them.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

PETITION FROM MEMBERS OF THE WEST BERKSHIRE ALZHEIMER'S SOCIETY

28th February 2007

To the House of Commons.

The Petition of members of the West Berkshire Alzheimer's Society,

Declares that we are outraged by the decision of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to restrict NHS prescriptions for Alzheimer's drugs. These treatments are proven to provide real benefits to thousands of people at all stages of Alzheimer's disease and cost just £2.50 per day per person.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons do urge the Secretary of State for Health to ensure that doctors continue to be able to prescribe Alzheimer's drug treatments to patients who can benefit from them.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

Observations by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the Petitions [19th December and 20th December 2005, in the last Session of Parliament] from residents affected by the plan to build an additional twelve flats in May Avenue, Castle Point, Essex, against the planning application.

The planning application referred to is for 1 x three bedroomed flats, 4 x two bedroomed flats and 7 x one bedroomed flats with associated parking at the rear at 2-6 May Avenue, Canvey Island and is currently being considered by Castle Point Borough Council. The application was heard at Committee on 10th January 2006 and the decision was deferred to enable members to undertake a site visit. The application is expected to be determined by the Committee on 7th February 2006.

Parliament has entrusted local authorities with responsibility for development control in their areas. It is for them to decide, with particular regard to the provisions of the County Structure and Local Plans, any relevant views expressed by neighbouring occupiers, local residents and other third parties (although they are not bound to accept those views) and any other relevant material considerations which fairly and reasonably relate to the application concerned, to decide whether or not a proposal should be given planning permission. The First Secretary of State intervenes in this responsibility only in the most exceptional circumstances and then only when issues of national or regional importance are involved. To do so more often would undermine the responsibility given to local planning authorities.

27th February 2007

SUPPLEMENT TO THE VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

Observations by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the Petition [20th December 2005, in the last Session of Parliament] from residents of Castle Point and others against undemocratic planning processes in Castle Point Borough Council.

The Government actively encourages local authorities to adopt a comprehensive system of delegation and previously set a target for 90% of local authorities planning decisions to be delegated to officers. The power delegated to an officer is a discretion to determine an application, in accordance with clearly stated and published rules. The legal basis for delegation is Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended. Section 100 (G) (2) requires that a list of powers exercisable by officers should be maintained and open to public inspection.

Elected Members determine the basis on which a delegated agreement operates, the level of member involvement and the circumstances in which an officer's delegated power to make a decision may not be exercised. Delegation agreements vary between local planning authorities. A variety of schemes exist to allow local discretion in their implementation reflecting the diverse nature of local planning authorities and their individual decision making arrangements.

Any member of the Council may request, under a 'call-in' procedure, that a particular application is decided instead by the planning committee. However, delegating decisions to officers can help to simplify planning procedures, speed up the process, minimise costs and it will leave committee members with more time to concentrate on major or controversial cases.

22nd February 2007

SUPPLEMENT TO THE VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

Observations by the Secretary of State for Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the Petition [2nd February 2006, in the last Session of Parliament] from people living around the St. Mary's Church Conservation Area, Benfleet, Essex, against a planning application for new shops and flats in Benfleet.

The planning application referred to is for the proposed demolition of the parade of shops in High Road to make way for a new block of shops including 13 two-storey flats above the shops with 13 parking spaces for residents at 18-32 High Road, Benfleet. The application was heard at Committee on 7th February 2006 and members decided to refuse the application.

Parliament has entrusted local authorities with responsibility for development control in their areas. It is for them to decide, with particular regard to the provisions of the County Structure and Local Plans, any relevant views expressed by neighbouring occupiers, local residents and other third parties (although they are not bound to accept those views) and any other relevant material considerations which fairly and reasonably relate to the application concerned, to decide whether or not a proposal should be given planning permission. The First Secretary of State intervenes in this responsibility only in the most exceptional circumstances and then only when issues of national or regional importance are involved. To do so more often would undermine the responsibility given to local planning authorities.

27th February 2007

SUPPLEMENT TO THE VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

Observations by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the Petition [8th March 2006, in the last session of Parliament] from residents of Wroughton Road and Croft Road, Swindon for an alternative route for Croft Road to Hay Lane Link.

The planning application for the Swindon Southern Development Area, which included the Croft Road to Hay lane Link via a tunnel under the M4, was formally referred to the First Secretary of State on the 28th January 2004 under the Town and Country Planning (Residential Development on Greenfield Land) (England) Direction 2000.

The First Secretary of State then considered whether or not he should determine the application himself following a local public inquiry. After careful consideration of all the matters raised by this application, and having regard to his policy on call in, the First Secretary of State concluded in his letter of 16th June 2004 to Swindon Borough Council that there was not sufficient conflict in this case with national planning policies on housing, transport and industrial and commercial development, or any other sufficient reason, to warrant calling in the application for his own determination. He therefore decided that the decision on whether or not to grant planning permission in this case should remain with the local planning authority. Swindon Borough Council therefore went on to grant outline planning permission for the development in May 2005.

22nd February 2007

SUPPLEMENT TO THE VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

Observations by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the Petition [26th April 2006, in the last Session of Parliament] from citizens of Milton Keynes for a local referendum on expansion planning and delivery.

Overall responsibility for planning policies and delivery in Milton Keynes remains with Milton Keynes Council. Milton Keynes Partnership (MKP) helps to facilitate development work, bringing together local partners. Milton Keynes Council is represented on the board of MKP.

The MK2031 Growth Plan is intended as the start of a process of wider community engagement that will help members of the Milton Keynes Partnership and the wider community to input more effectively into the statutory planning processes.

The South East Plan is the statutory planning document at regional level. The South East England Regional Assembly has submitted their Draft South East Plan to the Government. This is now out for public consultation.

22nd February 2007

SUPPLEMENT TO THE VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

Observations by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the Petition [26th April 2006, in the last Session of Parliament] from residents of Thundersley and Benfleet against the storage of hazardous waste on the Manor Trading Estate.

The application to Essex County Council, reference ESS/10/06/CPT, is in respect of the receipt and temporary storage of asbestos wastes, within the existing Waste Transfer and Treatment Station, at Unit 10, Manor Trading Estate, Brunel Road, Benfleet, Essex.

The application was considered at Essex County Council's Development and Regulation Committee held on 28th April 2006. The committee resolved that planning permission be granted for the development subject to conditions.

Parliament has entrusted local authorities with responsibility for development control in their areas. It is for them to decide, with particular regard to the provisions of the County Structure and Local Plans, any relevant views expressed by neighbouring occupiers, local residents and other third parties (although they are not bound to accept those views) and any other relevant material considerations which fairly and reasonably relate to the application concerned, to decide whether or not a proposal should be given planning permission. The Secretary of State intervenes in this responsibility only in the most exceptional circumstances and then only when issues of national or regional importance are involved. To do so more often would undermine the responsibility given to local planning authorities.

Once planning permission has been granted for a particular development, there is no set procedure by which the Secretary of State can intervene.

22nd February 2007

SUPPLEMENT TO THE VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

Observations by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the Petition [10th May 2006, in the last session of Parliament] from residents of Finmere and Mixbury, Oxfordshire, and the surrounding area effective planning controls.

Planning Authorities have access to enforcement powers to enable them to deal with unauthorised development or breach on conditions. In addition, Local Authorities have the power to issue stop notices and temporary stop notices to enable them to immediately prohibit any activity which contravenes planning control guidelines. With regards to Finmere Quarry, Premier Aggregates appealed against Oxfordshire County Council's enforcement notice and a Public Inquiry is scheduled to take place on 26th and 27th September 2006. Therefore, you will appreciate the Government is unable to comment on this particular case at the present time.

22nd February 2007

SUPPLEMENT TO THE VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

Observations by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the Petition [7th June 2006, in the last Session of Parliament] from residents of Canvey Island and others against the proposed development of ten flats and fourteen parking spaces on Eastern Esplanade, Canvey Island.

The application to Castle Point Borough Council, reference CPT/227/06/FUL, is in respect of the proposed development of ten self-contained units with fourteen parking spaces, at 241-243 Eastern Esplanade, Canvey Island, Essex.

The application was received by Castle Point Borough Council on 30th March 2006. [Outstanding information was requested and later received on 18th May 2006]. The application is currently under consideration.

Parliament has entrusted local authorities with responsibility for development control in their areas. It is for them to decide, with particular regard to the provisions of the County Structure and Local Plans, any relevant views expressed by neighbouring occupiers, local residents and other third parties (although they are not bound to accept those views) and any other relevant material considerations which fairly and reasonably relate to the application concerned, to decide whether or not a proposal should be given planning permission. The Secretary of State intervenes in this responsibility only in the most exceptional circumstances and then only when issues of national or regional importance are involved. To do so more often would undermine the responsibility given to local planning authorities.

If the application was to be refused, the applicant would have the right to appeal to the Secretary of State and it would therefore not be appropriate for the Secretary of State to comment on proposals that may come before her.

27th February 2007