Contributions
397 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBusiness and Planning BillMy Lords, I support my noble friend Lady Bowles of Berkhamsted’s Amendment 24. Her speech shows that there is much confusion around aspects of the licensing laws. This is also…13 Jul 2020HANSARDBusiness and Planning BillMy Lords, I declare my interest as a vice-president of the Local Government Association. I knew that there would be many speakers and much said, so I will confine my comments to…06 Jul 2020HANSARDCovid-19: High Street RetailersHigh streets were in decline before Covid-19. In fact, the House of Commons report on high streets and town centres last year talked of significant reform in planning and taxation…02 Jul 2020HANSARDFly-tippingIn my experience, local authorities feel that an exceptionally high burden of proof is required to gain a prosecution. Since 2014, only two cases in the magistrates’ court have…23 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Planning SystemI declare my interest as a vice-president of the Local Government Association. Given that much development is controversial and provokes much local opposition, should the…08 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: HousingI declare my interest as a vice-president of the Local Government Association. My noble friend Lady Grender mentioned councils and right-to-buy receipts, but unfortunately she did…18 May 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Support for the Self-employedMy Lords, I am sure we can all imagine the households up and down the country of the 5 million self-employed and freelance workers as they watched the Prime Minister’s statement…24 Mar 2020HANSARDHousing Delivery TestTo ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the results of the Housing Delivery Test, published on 13 February.18 Mar 2020HANSARDHousing Delivery TestI thank the noble Earl, but will he take seriously the concerns about the housing delivery test? Councils are now not only responsible for the delivery of homes in their area;…18 Mar 2020HANSARDHousing Delivery TestWeird, isn’t it? My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper and declare my interest as a vice-president of the Local Government Association.18 Mar 2020HANSARDEducational Opportunities: Working ClassesI really just want to say “I agree with the noble Baroness, Lady Morris” and sit down, but I will use my personal experience to highlight what I believe is an absolutely…05 Mar 2020HANSARDRough SleepingMy Lords, I echo much of what my fellow local government vice-president has said. This is a huge public concern, and on these Benches—particularly from within the local government…27 Feb 2020HANSARDHousing: New HomesMy Lords, one of the tools the Government are using is the housing delivery test. I believe it is designed to put even more pressure on councils to deliver even more development…11 Feb 2020HANSARDChildren in CareMy Lords, half of England’s £8.6 billion children’s services budget is spent on the 73,000 children in care. Surely the two key questions are: why are there so many youngsters in…03 Feb 2020HANSARDSocial MobilityMy Lords, I will focus on one aspect of the use of the pupil premium. It was brought in specifically to help the disadvantaged across the board, including enabling bright and able…29 Jan 2020HANSARDHousing: Permitted Development RightsMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper. In doing so, I declare an interest as a vice-president of the Local Government Association.23 Jul 2019HANSARDHousing: Permitted Development RightsTo ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to review permitted development rights following a planning inspector’s decision to overturn Watford Borough Council’s…23 Jul 2019HANSARDHousing: Permitted Development RightsI thank the Minister for that Answer, but building regulations are not quite the same thing as standards. Does he agree with Watford Borough Council in this instance that, with a…23 Jul 2019HANSARDYoung Adults: Public Service FundingMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Massey, for bringing this debate and giving us the opportunity to put on the public record things that are indeed of national concern…18 Jul 2019HANSARDTown and Country Planning (Fees for Applications, Deemed Applications, Requests and Site Visits) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2019I thank the Minister for that concise and informative introduction. We understand the technical purpose of the SI, and particularly appreciate the need for local authorities to be…15 Jul 2019