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11 Oct 2004 : Column 107W—continued
Housing Developments (Statutory Consultees)
Mr. Damian Green: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to add water companies to the list of statutory consultees for new housing developments. [189995]
Keith Hill: The present, non-statutory arrangements for planning applications work satisfactorily. Potential problems with water supply or sewerage are already material considerations in planning cases. If the local planning authority considers that a development would give rise to a water supply or sewerage problem, the authority should consult the relevant water company. Where such problems cannot be resolved, the local planning authority should refuse permission for new housing.
Under the Town and Country (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2004, which came into force on 28 September, water and sewerage undertakers are statutory consultees on development plan documents. This means that local planning authorities must take
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into account, when preparing their development plan documents, relevant strategic advice from the water companies.
Given the arrangements set out above, there are no plans to add water companies to the list of statutory consultees for planning applications.
Information and Communication Specialists
Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many information and communication technology specialists are in full-time employment in the Department. [189591]
Phil Hope: The central Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Information and Communications Technology (ICT) team is relatively small, staffed by 10 permanent full-time staff. However, there are a larger number of ICT staff distributed within the operational teams of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
Local Government Finance
Mr. Cousins: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the changes have been in non-domestic rateable values in each English region, indicating the net change in rateable values by region; and what percentage of properties in each region will be (a) above the caps and (b) below the reduction limits in the proposed transitional scheme. [188709]
Mr. Raynsford: (a) The change in rateable value by region as a result of the revaluation for 2005 is as follows:
| Region | Number of hereditaments | 2000 rateable value (£) | 2005 rateable value (£) | Percentage increase 2000–05 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East of England | 169,179 | 3,759,194,983 | 4,530,319,412 | 20.5 |
| East Midlands | 131,647 | 2,671,286,483 | 3,095,974,587 | 15.9 |
| London | 276,842 | 10,521,499,025 | 12,324,263,470 | 17.1 |
| North East | 73,199 | 1,428,324,118 | 1,642,961,619 | 15.0 |
| North West | 232,745 | 4,661,905,921 | 5,352,983,060 | 14.8 |
| South East | 237,884 | 6,190,274,651 | 7,448,769,772 | 20.3 |
| South West | 176,903 | 3,001,938,938 | 3,596,359,401 | 19.8 |
| West Midlands | 176,370 | 3,741,119,665 | 4,249,803,575 | 13.6 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 169,863 | 3,364,910,944 | 3,807,232,855 | 13.1 |
| Total | 1,644,632 | 39,340,454,728 | 46,048,667,751 | 17.1 |
| Central List | 76 | 2,246,561,247 | 2,986,439,550 | 32.9 |
| Total (inc. CL) | 1,644,708 | 41,587,015,975 | 49,035,107,301 | 17.9 |
(b) The following table shows the percentage of properties in each English region affected by the transitional arrangements for the first two years.
| Region | Upward cap (percentage year 1) | Upward cap (percentage year 2) | Downward cap (year 1) | Downward cap (year 2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 37.7 | 23.3 | 12.0 | 2.7 |
| South East | 39.1 | 25.1 | 15.1 | 3.8 |
| East of England | 31.2 | 19.9 | 15.1 | 2.7 |
| South West | 30.1 | 19.6 | 11.2 | 1.6 |
| East Midlands | 25.0 | 15.2 | 16.4 | 2.8 |
| West Midlands | 18.1 | 11.3 | 21.1 | 3.5 |
| North West | 22.4 | 14.1 | 21.0 | 4.2 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 24.7 | 16.5 | 19.4 | 3.5 |
| North East | 20.7 | 12.0 | 16.1 | 2.8 |
These figures are based on June 2004 data.
Non-domestic Rates
Mr. Dhanda: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 7 September 2004, Official Report, column 1164W, on non-domestic rates, how local authorities contribute to the decision-making process for distributions from the non-domestic rate pool. [189962]
Mr. Raynsford: There are two ways in which local authorities can contribute to decisions on distributions from the non-domestic rate pool.
The first is through the local authority representation on the Settlement Working Group. This is the main forum for discussions between officials and local authority representatives on the distribution of Revenue Support Grant and non-domestic rates.
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The second is through the formal consultation which takes place after the Government have announced their grant distribution proposals for the coming year in the late autumn.
Recycling
Bob Spink: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the latest available 12 month figures are for the proportion of the Department's redundant documentation, waste paper and card that is recycled; and if he will make a statement on the Department's recycling policy. [188686]
Phil Hope: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's policy on recycling is to reduce waste through re-using and recycling and by using refurbished and recycled products and materials, wherever they meet business need and represent value for money.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not retain information on recycled paper in the format requested.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will soon be issuing it's first Greening Operations report which will be publicly available on both the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Sustainable Development in government websites, a copy of this document will also be made available in the Library of the House.
Renewable Energy
Tony Cunningham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the companion guide to the Planning Policy Statement 22 on Renewable Energy will be published. [190122]
Keith Hill: Planning Policy Statement 22 was published on 9 August 2004. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister intends to publish the companion guide to the PPS later this autumn.
Smithfield Street, London (Planning Permission)
Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will initiate an inquiry into the planning permission granted to 12 Smithfield street, Smithfield in the City of London. [190160]
Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is not aware of any developments in relation to this address.
Smoke Alarms
Tony Wright: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place an obligation on landlords to fit smoke alarms to their properties. [189870]
Phil Hope:
Under proposals set out in the Housing Bill, local authorities will have new powers to license certain types of privately rented accommodation and licensing of larger houses in multiple occupation will become mandatory. It is proposed that it will be a mandatory requirement that smoke alarms are installed and maintained in proper working order in all licensed properties.
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Guidance to local authorities and housing associations on smoke alarm installation in their existing stock was issued in 2001.
Tony Wright: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place an obligation on those selling houses to ensure that smoke alarms are fitted. [189871]
Phil Hope: Under proposals set out in the Housing Bill, a duty will be placed on homeowners or their selling agents to provide a home information pack, including a home condition report. The home condition report covers health and safety risks. Consultation on draft guidance on preparation of the home condition report ended on 27 September and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is considering the responses.
The Government will continue to encourage all householders to install a working smoke alarm, whether or not the property is for sale.
Thurrock Urban Development Corporation
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what information is available (a) in printed brochures and other publicity and (b) on the internet and at what email address on the (i) function, (ii) membership and (iii) plans and proposals for Thurrock of the Thurrock Urban Development Corporation; and if he will make a statement. [190414]
Keith Hill: Thurrock Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has published its Baseline Study and its first Annual Report. The UDC is in the process of producing a brochure to explain its role, which will be distributed to stakeholders and made available on its website. The website—www.thurrockudc.org.uk—is due to go live before the end of October. Papers relating to the function and set up of Thurrock UDC can also be located on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website at: www.odpm.gov.uk.
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the (a) arrangements and (b) timetable are for the full funding of the Thurrock Urban Development Corporation; and if he will make a statement. [190415]
Keith Hill: Thurrock Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has been allocated an initial annual operating budget of £1.5 million. This will be reviewed at the end of the current financial year, by which time the permanent management teams should substantially be in place and the UDC will be better placed to judge its longer-term operating costs. By that stage the project plan and associated programme budget should also be in place.
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects the Thurrock Urban Development Corporation to have (a) a postal address and (b) an office open to the public in Thurrock. [190416]
Keith Hill: The Urban Development Corporation can be contacted at:
Thurrock Urban Development Corporation, c/o ODPM Thames Gateway Delivery Office, 2 Exchange Tower, 10th Floor, Harbour Exchange Square, London El4 9GS.
The UDC Board is expected to consider the Business Case for its permanent location shortly.
11 Oct 2004 : Column 111W
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cause for the delay in announcing the Chief Executive of the Thurrock Urban Development Corporation is; and when an announcement can be expected. [190417]
Keith Hill: There has been no delay in the announcement of the arrival of the Chief Executive, which will be made imminently.
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects to lay before Parliament the draft Statutory Instrument vesting planning powers in Thurrock Urban Development Corporation; and if he will make a statement. [190418]
Keith Hill: Thurrock Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has appointed consultants to assist in defining and establishing the Corporation's planning functions. The final report is due to go to the UDC's Board in November.
The precise timing of the Planning Order will depend upon the UDC having the necessary agency agreements with Thurrock Council in place and its own qualified staff to operate the powers.
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