Tag: Mark Menzies

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Menzies on 2015-10-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that new housing developments are powered by renewable energy sources.

Andrea Leadsom

Building Regulations set demanding energy performance targets for new buildings, but without prescribing the materials or technologies to be used. This approach gives builders the freedom to innovate and to choose the most practical and cost-effective solutions for individual projects.

The standards were strengthened most recently in April 2014, to a level that means builders increasingly have to consider the use of renewable technologies in their designs. These could be solar panels, or they could be other types of renewable such as heat pumps and combined heat and power (CHP) boilers – which might be more acceptable in conservation areas.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Menzies on 2015-10-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to provide sufficient health services in Lancashire to meet increased demand from new residents of large housing developments in Fylde.

Ben Gummer

It is the responsibility of local commissioners to plan, develop and provide NHS services according to the healthcare needs of their local populations.

NHS England advises that both Fylde and Wyre borough councils have received feedback on their proposed housing development plans from the local clinical commissioning group (Fylde and Wyre CCG). We understand that this requested that planning policies acknowledge the need for existing primary care centres to expand to meet the needs of a growing local population. Should those existing sites not be capable of expansion, the CCG has requested support for new sites in those areas.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Menzies on 2014-06-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps he is taking to ensure that the views of homeowners are taken into account before any change in existing trespass legislation to allow for horizontal shale gas drilling.

Michael Fallon

We are currently running a twelve week consultation on proposals for underground drilling access for shale gas, oil and geothermal energy. Homeowners are invited to take part in this consultation, and can respond by post, email or by using our online portal. The Government will not make a decision on this issue until we have analysed the consultation responses. This feedback may help to refine the existing proposal, develop an alternative proposal, or convince the Government that the existing system is fit for purpose.

In addition to the consultation, we have engaged with groups or organisations that represent homeowners. We held workshops in February and March this year, which were attended by representative groups such as the Country Landowner’s Association, the National Farmers Union and a number of local authorities and elected representatives.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Menzies on 2014-06-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Network Rail on the introduction of a passing loop on the South Fylde Line.

Stephen Hammond

I have had no discussions with Network Rail on this subject. Network Rail is currently undertaking a Long Term Planning Process in consultation with industry, local and other stakeholders to identify priorities for future development of the rail network following the 2014-2019 Control Period.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Menzies on 2014-06-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps he is taking to ensure that the distribution of shale gas community benefit funds go to those households closest to potential drilling sites.

Michael Fallon

We have welcomed a package of community benefits that was put forward by industry. It is encouraging that industry will offer £100,000 per fractured well site during exploration, so communities can benefit early, as well as 1% of revenues at production.

The UK Onshore Operators Group has provided more information about the community benefits scheme and will be partnering with the UK Communities Foundation for two pilot schemes during the exploration stage. The UK Communities Foundation will work with local residents to use the funding according to their needs and priorities. UKOOG also announced further consultation on payments at production stage.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Menzies on 2014-06-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps he is taking to ensure that the risk of flooding is taken into account in any potential shale gas sites.

Michael Fallon

Any development (including a shale gas site) that is planned near a main river or a flood defence (including a sea defence) will require a flood defence consent from the Environment Agency. The Environment Agency is a statutory consultee in the planning process and can object to any development that they consider to be at high risk of flooding. The Environment Agency will continue to assess each site on a case by case basis and work with operators and local planning to ensure sites are protected from flood risk.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Menzies on 2014-06-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with Northern Rail on modernising stations on the South Fylde line.

Stephen Hammond

As owner and manager of the stations on the South Fylde line, it is for Network Rail and Northern to look at improving facilities at the stations on this line, working to develop schemes with other local stakeholders.

Government support and funding for station modernisation and improvements are available through various schemes including Access for All and the National Station Improvement Programme.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Menzies on 2014-06-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the importance of regional airports in meeting the UK’s aviation needs.

Mr Robert Goodwill

The Government’s Aviation Policy Framework affirms that the Government wants to see the best use of the UK’s existing airport capacity. It recognises that airports across the UK play an important role in local economies, and in securing connectivity for local populations – as well as having an important role in helping to accommodate wider forecast growth in demand for aviation in the UK.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Menzies on 2014-06-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Virgin Trains on ensuring that its proposed train service from Blackpool to Euston will stop at Kirkham Station.

Stephen Hammond

On 19 June 2014 the Secretary of State announced that Virgin had been awarded a new Direct Award franchise. This commenced on 22 June 2014, and will run until the new planned commencement of the next competed franchise in April 2017.

Virgin and Network Rail will now submit an application to the Office of Rail Regulation for new services between Blackpool North and London Euston, which will include stops at Kirkham & Wesham and Poulton le Fylde stations. The new services are planned to commence in December 2014.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Menzies on 2014-06-25.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what digital-by-default Government services will be available by next year; and what support he plans to make available to older people and those who are not yet online.

Mr Nick Hurd

By March 2015, 25 major government services will be redesigned and rebuilt as digital-by-default making them simpler, clearer and faster to use. Full details are listed on gov.uk/transformation

This Government’s approach is digital-by-default but not compulsion. We want to help get more people online, through our Digital Inclusion programme, but for those who cannot or will not we will always provide assistance, whenever they need it.