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25 Feb 2005 : Column 893W—continued
Housing (London)
Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he plans to transfer additional powers to the Mayor of London in respect of implementing housing policy for London. [217613]
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Keith Hill:
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expects to make an announcement in the near future about the outcome of the consultation "Housing and Planning in the Regions" that proposed merging Regional Housing Boards and Regional Planning Bodies by transferring to the Regional Assemblies in
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England, (and in London to the Mayor) in the second half of 2005 responsibility for the work of the Regional Housing Boards in preparing Regional Housing Strategies and advising Ministers on the allocation of housing investment.
Mobile Phone Base Stations
Dr. Stoate: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will include microcells and picocells in low-height mobile phone stations in the normal planning process. [217702]
Yvette Cooper: Picocells are antennas located inside buildings and microcells are very small and usually disguised on the exterior of buildings. A fundamental principle of the planning system is that it does not seek to control works for the maintenance, improvement or other alteration of any building (other than listed buildings) being works which:
The Government have not included these kind of developments in the planning system as it would require fundamental changes to the planning system and primary legislation.
Neighbourhood Improvement Districts
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what the maximum increase in council tax expected in a neighbourhood improvement district is; [216270]
(2) which tier of Government will be able to introduce a neighbourhood improvement district in a two-tier local government area; [216271]
(3) whether parish councils will be able to introduce a neighbourhood improvement district. [216272]
Mr. Raynsford: As explained in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's recent discussion document 'Citizen Engagement and Public Services: Why Neighbourhoods Matter', we are seeking views on a range of ideas, including possible neighbourhood improvement districts, to provide opportunities and support for neighbourhood activities. This follows the introduction of Business Improvement Districts under the 2003 Local Government Act. We would welcome comments on whether neighbourhood improvement districts might be introduced, and if so, how and what financial arrangements they might have.
Regional Chambers (Incineration and Waste Disposal)
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what role regional chambers have in incineration and waste disposal matters. [217792]
Keith Hill:
In all regions outside London the regional chamber (known as the regional assembly) is the regional planning body. As the regional planning body, the regional chamber is responsible for keeping the regional spatial strategy under review and preparing draft revisions. These should include, as an integral part of the regional spatial strategy, a clear and deliverable strategy for managing waste.
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Regional Housing Funding
Mr. Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much Regional Housing Pot funding will be available in (a) 2005–06, (b) 2006–07 and (c) 2007–08, broken down by regional housing board. [217577]
Keith Hill: Figures for 2005–06 are tabled as follows. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will announce regional figures for 2006–07 and 2007–08 once we have considered the responses to our consultation paper on how the total resources available (£2,625 million and £2,912 million respectively) should be divided up.
| £ million | |
|---|---|
| North East | 86 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 144 |
| East Midlands | 116 |
| East of England | 167 |
| London | 1,071 |
| South East | 367 |
| South West | 137 |
| West Midlands | 182 |
| North West | 250 |
| Total | 2,519 |
Social Housing
Mr. Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the expenditure was on Transitional Local Authority Social Housing Grant in each Government office region in 2003–04; and what the estimated expenditure is for (a) 2004–05 and (b) 2005–06. [217568]
Keith Hill: The following table shows the actual expenditure by region through transitional Local Authority Social Housing Grant (LASHG) in 2003–04 and latest estimates of investment for 2004–05 and 2005–06 to registered social landlords (RSLs) operating transitional LASHG schemes in debt free local authorities receiving grant via the Housing Corporation under section 18 of the Housing Act 1996.
The above does not include information on with debt local authorities who receive revenue support to compensate for the loss of investment income. This is made available through a special grant programme under section 88b of the Local Government Finance Act 1988.
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Mr. Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of the redundant NHS sites designated for low-cost homes under the First Time Buyers Initiative will include provision for social rented housing. [217569]
Keith Hill: It is anticipated that much of the surplus NHS land will have the potential to accommodate housing development to address high demand and provide affordable homes. This will be determined following an assessment of each site's potential and taking into account local demand and the planning context. Where residential development is proposed, it will include provision for affordable housing including social rented homes as part of the planning process. It is too early to be more specific.
Mr. Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many of the 10,000 new social rented homes that are planned to be built in 2007–08 will be delivered through the expanded private finance initiative; and if he will make a statement. [217570]
Keith Hill: The Housing Private Finance Initiative programme has a target of delivering 6,300 additional dwellings of social rented housing by 2007–08 through a mix of new-build and the acquisition and refurbishment of empty private sector properties.
Mr. Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 26 January 2005, Official Report, column 440W, on social housing, whether he expects any of the 14,000 social housing units planned to be funded with Transitional Local Authority Social Housing Grant not to be completed until after 1 April 2006. [217571]
Keith Hill: Current estimates are that 27 dwellings may complete after 31 March 2006.
Mr. Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 18 January 2005, Official Report, column 867W, on social housing, (1) how many of the 40,000 low-cost home ownership units will be built in (a) 2005–06, (b) 2006–07 and (c) 2007–08; [217573]
(2) how many of the 75,000 social rented homes will be built in (a) 2005–06, (b) 2006–07 and (c) 2007–08. [217574]
Keith Hill: For 2005–06 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister currently estimates that around 27,000 homes will be provided for rent and around 18,000 for low cost home ownership schemes. Decisions have not yet been taken on the allocation of regional housing pot funding, of which the Housing Corporation's approved development programme is one element, for 2006–07 and 2007–08.
Estimates will be dependent on the recommendations made by Regional Housing Boards and the decisions on allocation of resources through the regional housing pot. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will announce decisions on the allocation of funding within regions in the summer.
25 Feb 2005 : Column 898W
Mr. Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the criteria for eligibility for the 15,000 homes planned under his First Time Buyer Initiative. [217575]
Keith Hill: I refer the hon. Member to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Public Service Plan 'Homes for All', presented to the House on 24 January of this year. Paragraphs 4.7 and 4.8 set out the information requested as well as further information on the First Time Buyers Initiative. Copies of the plan are available from the Library of the House.
Mr. Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate the Department has made of the capital receipts that will be generated by Right to Buy in (a) indebted and (b) debt free authorities in (i) 2004–05, (ii) 2005–06, (iii) 2006–07 and (iv) 2007–08. [217572]
Keith Hill: Current estimates are tabled as follows:
| With-debt | Debt-free | |
|---|---|---|
| 2004–05 | 2,412 | 272 |
| 2005–06 | 2,339 | 272 |
| 2006–07 | 2,197 | 267 |
| 2007–08 | 2,030 | 262 |
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