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Latest news
January 23 2008
Review of private rented sector announced
A major review to improve the private rented sector was today announced by Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper.
With almost 2.6 million homes in England being rented from over half a million private landlords, Yvette Cooper has commissioned an independent review to look at what problems tenants and landlords face and what works well in the sector.
January 24 2008
New powers for councils to raise millions more to support new homes
Councils who back plans for new homes will be able to raise hundreds of millions of pounds to spend on vital infrastructure like roads, schools, parks and health centres.
Housing Minister Yvette Cooper is today setting out how the new Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), will help fund massive new investment to sustain new homes, as part of the Government's drive to support quality neighbourhoods.
The Levy will give councils the power to set charges to pay for infrastructure when a new development takes place, which is expected to unlock hundreds of millions of pounds more for local infrastructure and services.
Under the current system, only 14 per cent of all residential planning permissions make any contribution to the cost of supporting infrastructure, and these generally cover the largest schemes. However, even minor developments generate a need for infrastructure and services in an area.
Ministers think it is right that all developments pay their fair share and those who benefit financially when planning permission is given should contribute back to the local community by funding local infrastructure. That's why the new Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) has been included in the Planning Bill.
February 5 2008
More money to fight unemployment
Councils in the most deprived areas of the country are to receive additional funding to tackle the acute problems their communities face, Local Government Minister John Healey today confirmed.
The New Working Neighbourhoods Fund follows the former Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and the Deprived Areas Fund, and directs central government funding to areas facing greater challenges as a result of high levels of worklessness and low levels of skills and enterprise.
A total of 87 councils in the most deprived areas of the country will benefit from a share of £464.4m through the Working Neighbourhoods Fund in 2008-09.
March 2008
Consultation on sustainable communities
The Government has published a consultation on the Sustainable Communities Act.
The Act which received royal assent in October allows people to raise issues of local concern that require action by the Government. It recognises that local people know best what needs to be done in their area and provides them a channel through their local council to ask the Government to act.
Issues that can be raised cover any economic, social or environmental issue - from tackling anti-social behaviour or providing more affordable housing to ensuring vibrant town centres and quality parks and play areas.
May 14 2008
Draft Queen's Speech bills
The draft programme proposes a Community Empowerment, Housing and Economic regeneration Bill and a Business Rates Supplements Bill for the 4th session and a housing reform green paper, towards the end of the year.
At the heart of the Bill will be plans to give local people a bigger voice to shape local services and neighbourhoods; and give greater powers to regions in order that they have the tools they need to respond to the challenges they face and drive economic regeneration.
Alongside the Bill the Government will publish a housing reform green paper setting out proposals to provide housing services and options which help and encourage people towards greater economic independence and social mobility and to deliver greater fairness and make best use of our resources.
The draft legislative programme will also set out Government's intention to publish a Business Rates Supplement Bill which will give local areas greater powers to drive economic regeneration. The Bill will create a new power for the highest tier local authority in an area to levy a local supplement on the business rate and to retain the proceeds for investment in that area.
Other Pages
Commission Work Programme 2007
November 2006 report
August 2006 report
June 2006 report
Commission Work Programme 2006