Tag: housing

Bishop of St Albans asks Government about building on brownfield sites

St Albans 2On the 21st July 2016 Lord Greaves asked Her Majesty’s Government “what progress they are making in encouraging the development of brownfield sites.” Rt Revd Alan Smith, Bishop of St Albans, asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: This is not just about housing, important though that is—not least the fact that we are not building enough homes, especially affordable and starter homes; it is also about how we will solve some very difficult, long-term environmental problems relating to brownfield sites. Does the Minister agree that this really is an area where, for example, the housing association sector, with some quite focused work and grants, can make a huge difference both in solving environmental problems and in making a significant contribution to our housing shortage?

Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks Government about building on brownfield sites”

Bishop of St Albans asks about affordable housing in rural and coastal areas

St Albans 2On 19th July 2016 Lord Shipley asked Her Majesty’s Government “what assessment they have made of their ability to achieve their target of one million new homes by 2020.” The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, the 2015 spending review announced £60 million of grants to respond to the problem caused by second home ownership in areas with desirable coastal and rural housing. The aim was to provide affordable housing in perpetuity for local families who would otherwise be priced out of market. We were expecting an announcement on that but certain events intervened recently. Can the Minister assure us that this will go ahead and when it will come on stream? Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about affordable housing in rural and coastal areas”

Bishop of St Albans says tackling housing insecurity key to tackling poverty

On 14th July 2016 the House of Lords debated a motion from Lord Bird, “That this House takes note of the case for tackling the causes of poverty in the United Kingdom”. The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, spoke about the need to tackle housing insecurity. He began by paying tribute to Baroness Sharp, who had made her valedictory speech.

The Bishop of Derby’s speech in the same debate can be seen here.

St Albans 2The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, it is a great privilege on behalf of all noble Lords to thank the noble Baroness, Lady Sharp of Guildford, for her nearly 18 years of service to this House, and not least for that pertinent and passionate valedictory speech, which went to the heart of many of the issues we are debating today. I am constantly amazed at the sheer talent and expertise that is on display in this Chamber, of which she has just demonstrated an outstanding example. Her scholarly contributions to this place, particularly her steadfast championing of adult and further education, have been greatly valued, especially during her time as a Front-Bench spokesperson. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans says tackling housing insecurity key to tackling poverty”

Bishop of St Albans asks about secure tenancies for young farmers

St Albans 2On 14th July 2016  Baroness Byford asked Her Majesty’s Government “what progress they have made in increasing the number of apprenticeships within the rural economy.” The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked a follow up question:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, despite record numbers of graduates from agricultural colleges and some interesting rural apprenticeships, it is proving almost impossible for young farmers to get a tenancy unless it is by inheritance. What plans do Her Majesty’s Government have to offer additional support to young farmers to secure tenancies, such as the young entrants’ schemes in place in Scotland and Wales—or is there something else we could do to address this serious problem as we seek to get a new generation of farmers? Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about secure tenancies for young farmers”

Bishop of Derby supports bill on renters’ rights

Bishop of DerbyOn Friday 10th June  2016 the Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Alastair Redfern spoke during the debate on Baroness Grender’s Renters’ Rights Bill. The Bishop highlighted his concerns about vulnerable people and malpractice by some rental landlords and property management agencies. 

The Lord Bishop of Derby: My Lords, I too wish to offer some thoughts about the importance of the issues raised by the Bill and the sense of direction in which it seeks to travel.

First, I note the point made by the noble Lord, Lord Palmer, regarding a definition of so-called “rogue” landlords. The Housing and Planning Act has introduced a database of rogue landlords and property agents, which is to be made available to local authorities so that they can check for compliance, but there is a question over whether tenants should have access to that kind of information. Continue reading “Bishop of Derby supports bill on renters’ rights”

Divisions – Housing and Planning Bill

On 4th May 2016 a number of votes took place on the Government’s Housing and Planning Bill, as the House of Lords considered amendments made in the House of Commons. Bishops took part in the following Divisions of the House: Continue reading “Divisions – Housing and Planning Bill”

Bishop of St Albans on the importance of affordable housing, broadband and innovation to the rural economy

Bishop St Albans June 2015On the 27th April 2016, Baroness McItosh of Pickering led a Lords debate “to ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the state of the rural economy.” The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith,  highlighted the need for more affordable housing, business innovation and greater access to broadband and mobile coverage. 

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, my thanks go to the noble Baroness, Lady McIntosh, for securing the debate. I will focus on three areas that I believe are crucial to creating a strong, dynamic rural economy.

First, I underline the importance of affordable housing in creating sustainable rural communities at a time when rural house prices continue to be pushed well beyond the reach of many local residents. A failure to provide for local people and local families to live and work in rural areas leaves the rural economy seriously inhibited. An affordable housing supply, available to local workers on low and middle incomes, is an essential feature of the rural economy, providing homes, and, in many cases, workplaces for those who would work in rural areas. Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans on the importance of affordable housing, broadband and innovation to the rural economy”

Divisions: Housing and Planning Bill

On 27th April 2016 votes took place on amendments to the Government’s Housing and Planning Bill at its Third Reading. The Bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, took part: Continue reading “Divisions: Housing and Planning Bill”

Housing and Planning Bill: Bishop of Leeds supports amendment on affordable rural housing

BpLeeds2On 25th April 2016 the House of Lords considered the Government’s Housing and Planning Bill at its Report Stage. The Bishop of Leeds, Rt Revd Nick Baines, spoke in support of an amendment to the Bill that had been co-sponsored by the Bishop of St Albans. In introducing the amendment, Labour Peer Baroness Royall said:

“This amendment does not in any way seek to undermine the Government’s plans to increase the number of homes built on small sites. We need more homes in rural areas. It merely seeks to ensure that local authorities will still be able to meet the affordable housing needs of their rural communities in ways appropriate to their circumstances.”

The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, I support this amendment. My diocese covers vast and diverse rural areas. The issue that is constantly raised by those who live there is affordable housing for their children. We too often use the language of protection or preservation when we should be talking about development and creating the future. If we end up with small rural communities without young people in them, which in some cases is what is happening, we will have a problem 20, 30, 40 or 50 years down the line. I support the amendment and trust that we will give due attention to it. Continue reading “Housing and Planning Bill: Bishop of Leeds supports amendment on affordable rural housing”

Housing and Planning Bill: Bishop of Coventry supports increased controls on Starter Homes

Bp Coventry May 2015On 11th April 2016, the House of Lords debated the Government’s Housing and Planning Bill at its Report stage. Lord Best and Lord Beecham tabled amendments to increase the period for which Starter Homes had to be sold at a discount. The Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, spoke in support of these amendments, and Baroness Williams of Trafford responded on behalf of the government. In a subsequent vote, amendment 1 was passed by 275 votes to 181.

 

Lord Bishop of Coventry: My Lords, I apologise for not engaging with the Bill at an earlier stage. Other colleagues from this Bench who have engaged with it are unable to be here today. I declare an interest: I have five children, and I worry very much about how they will own their own properties. Two have already managed to; the other three will need to work on it. It will be a little bit difficult for them. They will not have a great deal from me to help them, as they come from a clergy family. That is my second declaration of interest. Living on a clergy stipend for most of my adult life and living in clergy accommodation means that I have got to know the letting world reasonably well as a way of trying to make provision for my future and my family’s future when I am evicted from my house at some point. Continue reading “Housing and Planning Bill: Bishop of Coventry supports increased controls on Starter Homes”