Local Authority round-up 07/08/20

Brexit

Further addendum to terms of reference for negotiations published

The Government has published a new addendum to the terms of reference for the negotiations on the future UK-EU relationship. The terms of reference were agreed on 28 February 2020 between the UK and EU negotiators and they set out the structure of the negotiations and a provisional timetable for the first five rounds. After the fifth full round, which was held from 20 to 23 July 2020, the parties indicated that, while some progress was made, substantial areas of disagreement remained. The new addendum takes into account the current state of negotiations and establishes the following process in order to “create the most conducive conditions for concluding and ratifying a deal before the end of 2020.” Negotiating rounds will take place in the weeks commencing 17 August and 7 September 2020, unless agreed otherwise. Negotiating groups will meet in full rounds, specialised sessions, and more restricted formats. Subject to constraints required by national health recommendations, negotiating groups will meet physically, alternately in Brussels and London. In addition, the chief negotiators from both sides and their teams will meet as necessary in a more restricted format. Specialised sessions may also work under their authority on issues of particular difficulty in the negotiations to ensure that parallel progress is achieved across all workstreams. Meetings of the chief negotiators and specialised sessions (as necessary) are scheduled to take place in the weeks commencing 24 August, 31 August, 14 and 21 September 2020.

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Commercial

Newcastle City Council announces £536,000 funding package

Newcastle City Council has announced a new funding package to support local community centres and charities. The funding is being provided by the North of Tyne Combined Authority’s COVID-19 Capacity Fund and will provided funding to community organisations and enterprises in shared workspaces who were ineligible for emergency Government funding. £270,000 of the funding will be provided to charities to help them retain staff, to continue to provide their services and build plans for recovery. £140,000 has been allocated to support community buildings to survive the loss of income due to closure or suspension of normal activities through lockdown and the remaining £60,000 will be made available to help the organisation adapt with social distancing measures, capacity loss and associated costs. The final £126,000 will be used to support enterprises based in shared workspaces who have reserves of less than three months to cover operating and rent costs.

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Government announces £1.3 billion investment

The Government has announced £1.3 billion investment which will be used to deliver up to 45,000 homes, create up to 85,000 jobs and upgrade skills and infrastructure to help fuel a green economic recovery. Over 300 projects in England will receive a share of £900 million investment under the Getting Building Fund to build 45,000 homes and fund infrastructure which will also create 85,000 jobs. It is also expected to reduce around 65 million kgs of CO2 emissions across England. £360 million will be invested in Mayoral Combined Authority areas in order to build 26,000 homes. Housing Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said “As we get Britain building we are also laying the foundations for a green economic recovery by investing in vital infrastructure for local communities, creating jobs and building environmentally-friendly homes with a huge £1.3 billion investment announced today. This Government is determined to level up all parts of the country and this funding will not only give a much needed boost to our economic recovery, it will help build the good quality, affordable homes the country needs.”

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Further funding to support working families announced

The Government has announced that families that benefit from Government-funded childcare support will be given a financial boost to ensure that they will not lose out as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Working parents or carers who are eligible for Tax-Free Childcare or 30 hours free childcare but have temporarily fallen below the minimum income requirement as a result of the pandemic will continue to receive financial support until 31 October 2020. Through Tax-Free Childcare families will receive a £2 Government top-up for every £8 they pay into their child’s account, up to the value of £2,000 per child, or £4,000 per disabled child in financial support. HMRC’s Deputy Chief Executive and Second Permanent Secretary, Angela MacDonald, said “We want to make sure families will not be adversely affected by any abrupt change in circumstances, which is why we have extended available support through Tax-Free Childcare to give families that extra boost.”

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Regulatory

Councils warned about discriminating against autistic children

More than 40 councils have been criticised for unlawfully discriminating against autistic children. A new report, published by Disability Law Service, Leeds University, Cerebra and the BBC, found 41 councils in England have policies that prevent autistic children from accessing a care assessment. Sir Ed Davey, a patron of Disability Law Service, has written to the local authorities concerned warning them that their policies are in breach of the law saying “It is shocking that at least 41 local authorities across England are breaking the law by discriminating against autistic children. While Government underfunding of special education needs and disabilities is severe, that is no excuse for discrimination. Most councils are abiding by the law. All councils should. The law requires all disabled children to be given proper care, but many councils have adopted a policy that excludes many autistic children from an appropriate assessment. The case studies in this report are particularly heart-breaking – every child has one chance at childhood, and so many are being denied their chance.”

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Planning and housing

Government extends Help to Buy Scheme

The Government has announced that the deadline to build new homes under the Help to Buy Scheme has been extended from the end of December 2020 to 28 February 2021 following delays to building homes caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The deadline for the legal completion of the sale will remain the same at 31 March 2021. Where people had a reservation in place prior to 30 June 2020 then Homes England will review the situation and if necessary will be able to grant a further extension to 31 May 2021 to legally complete. Housing Minister Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP said “Today’s announcement will help provide certainty and assurance for Help to Buy customers whose new homes have been delayed due to coronavirus and affirms the Government’s commitment to helping more people to own their own home.”

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Government sets out plans to reform planning system

Housing Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP has announced that the Government are consulting on changes to the planning system. The proposals have been set out in the white paper, Planning for the future, and detail plans to streamline process, cut red tape and harness technology to deliver homes faster. The reforms will allow building on brownfield land whilst green spaces and the Green Belt will continue to be protected. All new streets will need to be tree lined and all new homes need to be ‘zero carbon ready’. There will be a complete overhaul of the planning process to replace it with a clearer, rules based system. It will also create a fast-track system for beautiful buildings and establishing local design guidance for developers to build and preserve beautiful communities. Mr Jenrick said “These once in a generation reforms will lay the foundations for a brighter future, providing more homes for young people and creating better quality neighbourhoods and homes across the country. We will cut red tape, but not standards, placing a higher regard on quality, design and the environment than ever before. Planning decisions will be simple and transparent, with local democracy at the heart of the process.”

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If you have any questions about the issues raised in this update, please do not hesitate to get in touch.