LOCAL Authorities – Page 2 – The Church of England in Parliament

Bishop of St Albans asks about state of local authority finances in the UK

The Bishop of St Albans tabled a question on the state of local authority finances on 6th February 2024, pointing out the need for long term planning of financial strategies to allow local authorities to better implement their spending:

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the state of the finances of local authorities.

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name and declare my interest, as set out in the register, as a vice-president of the Local Government Association.

Baroness Penn (Con): We have listened carefully to local authorities about the pressure that they are facing. That is why we have announced that the final local government finance settlement for 2024-25 will now make available £64.7 billion, an increase of 7.5% in cash terms on last year and above inflation. The department continually monitors the local government sector through data and direct engagement with individual councils. This includes considering the impact of inflation and wider economic circumstances.

Bishop of Manchester asks about rising costs of temporary accommodation

The Bishop of Manchester tabled a question on rising costs of temporary accommodation affecting local authorities on 31st January 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact on local authority finances caused by the rising cost of temporary accommodation.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con): My Lords, local authorities deliver vital homelessness services, and we recognise the pressure that the cost of temporary accommodation places on councils. As we announced recently, total core spending power for councils in England will rise by 7.5% for 2023-24 to 2024-25—an above-inflation increase. In addition, we are providing more than £1 billion over three years to councils through the homelessness prevention grant, with a further £120 million UK-wide funding in 2024-25, announced at Autumn Statement, to help prevent homelessness.

Bishop of London asks about support for those with English as an additional language to access community services

The Bishop of London asked a question on community support strategies for those speaking English as an additional language and those with disabilities on 30th January 2024, during a discussion on the impact of the local authority Household Support Fund:

The Lord Bishop of London: My Lords, groups such as those with English as an additional language and disabled people face higher barriers to accessing local crisis support. Will the Government in their evaluation consider the strategies that are in place, or could be put in place, to ensure that those who face barriers can access local crisis support?

Bishop of Derby asks about allowing local authorities to set right-to-buy rates

The Bishop of Derby received the following written answer on 10th January 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Derby asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the case for allowing local authorities to set their own right-to-buy discounts to reflect local circumstances.

Baroness Penn (Con, Department for Levelling-up, Housing & Communities): The Government remains committed to the Right to Buy, which has helped over 2 million social housing tenants to become homeowners.

Bishop of Worcester asks about funds for care of unaccompanied asylum seeking children

The Bishop of Worcester asked about funding for local authorities to support care for unaccompanied asylum seeking children on 5th December 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Worcester: My Lords, I join others in welcoming the Minister to his place. I note that Kent County Council announced last week that new arrival centres for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children are being planned in the area but that the council is waiting for funding from central government. As the Minister said, the right and best place for separated children is under local authority care. What is the timeline for the funding to be issued to support Kent County Council fulfilling its statutory duty, especially given that it is responsible for hundreds more children than the prescribed limit under the national distribution system? We do not want to return to the use of hotels.

Bishop of Chelmsford asks about impact of the empty homes premium

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answer on 29th November 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the empty homes premium since its introduction in 2013, with reference to the Local Government Association’s findings of 13 November that empty homes in England have risen by nearly 10 per cent in the past five years.

Bishop of Durham asks about implementation of Family Hubs

The Bishop of Durham received the following written answer on 20th November 2023:

The Lord Bishop of Durham asked His Majesty’s Government what support they are offering to local authorities to help them partner with (1) voluntary, and (2) faith, organisations in the implementation of Family Hubs.

Baroness Barran (Con, DfE): The department recognises the importance of both voluntary organisations and faith group partners to the family hub model. Both have a vital role in supporting families to improve the reach and impact of the family hub offer, particularly for those seldom heard parents and families. The department has set the expectation in its family hubs guidance that local authorities partner with voluntary and faith organisations as part of their family hub model. Family hubs bring together resources, expertise, and assets to provide an integrated offer to support families and respond to the needs of the community. The family hubs guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/family-hubs-and-start-for-life-programme-local-authority-guide(opens in a new tab).

Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill: Bishop of Chichester welcomes legislation on financial support for church buildings

On 21st September 2023, the House of Lords debated the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill in its third reading. The Bishop of Chichester spoke in the debate, welcoming legislation in the bill brought by the Bishop of Bristol clarifying local authority funding for church buildings and parish churches:

The Lord Bishop of Chichester: My Lords, I apologise for my misplaced enthusiasm in wanting to add to these thanks. I shall speak briefly on behalf of my right reverend friend the Bishop of Bristol to record her thanks to the noble Baroness, Lady Scott of Bybrook, for all the constructive work that is represented in the Bill and to assure the noble Baroness of our continued prayers for her recovery.

Votes: Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill

On 13th September 2023, the House of Lords debated the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill in the Report stage. Votes were held on amendments to the Bill, in which Bishops took part:

Votes: Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill

On 6th September 2023, the House of Lords debated the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill in the report stage. Votes were held on amendments to the bill, in which Bishops took part:

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