Rachel Hopkins:This follows on from previous questions about the fair funding review. Luton has seen local services decimated, due to years of Conservative decisions, which stripped consideration of deprivation and need from the funding formula. Under a fairer funding system, Luton is set to gain. What can we expect to see from the formula in places like Luton, which suffered so badly under the Conservative Government? \p Alison McGovern: Under our new approach to funding, in places like Luton, which were starved of the resources that they needed for far too long, and for which we can evidence significant levels of deprivation, councils can expect to see the resources that they need in order to help people properly. \p Lindsay Hoyle: I call the Liberal Democrats spokesperson. \p Gideon Amos: The Planning and Infrastructure Bill takes smaller decisions away from councillors. Last week’s direction, announced in a ministerial statement, will take big decisions involving over 150 homes, such as the decision on Oldway Road in Wellington, out of the hands of local councillors. Do the Government no longer trust local people to shape communities and deliver the housing that we need? \p Matthew Pennycook: I say gently to the hon. Gentleman that I think he misrepresents the proposal that has been announced. It is not an automatic removal for all planning applications relating to more than 150 homes; it is simply a referral process, which applies in other situations already, that allows the Secretary of State to call in individual applications. \p Gurinder Josan: I recently met representatives of BUUK, a multi-utility infrastructure provider that constructs and operates essential utility assets, and can provide all utilities as a one-stop shop. In view of the Department’s progress on new towns, and the need to rapidly scale up house building, what consideration has the Department given to using innovative delivery models, such as BUUK’s site-wide deployment of utility infrastructure, and thus reducing bureaucracy, streamlining delivery, improving accountability and allowing house builders to get on with building? \p Matthew Pennycook: I thank my hon. Friend for that question. The Government obviously recognise the importance of ensuring that new housing development is supported by appropriate infrastructure. On the individual company that he references, I will ask my officials to reach out to it directly to discuss its delivery model and find out a bit more about its potential advantages.
Tourism Report
Rachel Hopkins:This follows on from previous questions about the fair funding review.
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