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“While Right to Buy (RTB) has supported many into homeownership, the scheme has significantly impacted council housing stock as councils struggle to deliver homes needed to replace those bought through the scheme."

 Responding to the Government consultation on the changes to planning committees, Cllr Carl Cashman, Vice Chair of the LGA’s Inclusive Growth Committee, said: “While we broadly support the Government’s intention to streamline and speed up the planning system, we are concerned these proposals risk eroding the core democratic mandate of planning committees and stop councils from responding properly to local circumstances.    “Councils need to be able to make arrangements that suit their needs – from deciding the size of planning committees, to when a development needs to be called in, to avoiding

Responding to the HCLG report on conditions in temporary accommodation, Cllr Carl Cashman, Vice Chair of the LGA’s Inclusive Growth Committee, said: “Everyone deserves a safe, warm, and good quality home – it’s a key foundation for a good life and strong community.   

“These proposals represent a huge shake up to planning policy and we recognise the Government’s pledge to deliver more homes, better integrated with infrastructure and connected to jobs and amenities. However, to succeed, local government and its views must remain at the heart of planning and delivery."

The overall financial picture for social housing is showing signs of improvement, but more support for councils is sorely needed to help alleviate pressure on their Housing Revenue Accounts (HRA), a Local Government Association survey reveals.

“The temporary accommodation subsidy gap is a problem that is getting worse each year but is fixable" said Cllr Tom Hunt, Chair of the LGA’s Inclusive Growth Committee. "This would have a huge boost to council finances, money which could go towards preventing homelessness and building the homes that our communities desperately need."

The LGA responds to a Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee report which calls for building more social homes while ensuring conditions in existing housing stock are improved.

“This is an important step in the right direction, as more must be done to ensure that all people can live in a safe, warm, and decent standard home."

“The proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework are some of the most significant we’ve seen, so it is crucial that the views of councils are fully taken into account through this consultation process."

“This is an ambitious strategy – its goal of ending homelessness for good is admirable. It will help prevent homelessness, and support those who are homeless to find a home."