Tag: Rosie Cooper

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rosie Cooper on 2016-01-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, by what mechanism residents can challenge a local authority’s assessment of the adequacy of drainage systems for a new housing development where they believe it will contribute to additional flooding in an area which has recently flooded.

Brandon Lewis

There are strict tests in the National Planning Policy Framework to protect people and property from flooding, and we are very clear that where these tests are not met new development should not be allowed.

The Framework must be taken into account in the preparation of local plans, drawn up by local councils in consultation with local communities, which should steer inappropriate development away from areas at risk of flooding. Local Plans should be supported by Strategic Flood Risk Assessment and develop policies to manage flood risk from all sources, taking account of advice from the Environment Agency and other relevant flood risk management bodies. A Local Plan must be published for consultation before it can be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for examination. This provides a formal opportunity for the local community to consider the local plan which the local planning authority would like to adopt.

For planning applications, local planning authorities are also required to undertake a formal period of public consultation prior to making a decision. When determining planning applications in flood risk areas, the Framework is clear on the importance of demonstrating that the development will be safe, resilient and not increase flood risk elsewhere. The Framework also sets out when applications should be supported by a site-specific flood risk assessment. These assessments provide a source of information for local residents together with representations on proposed development from flood risk management bodies. Planning law requires that planning applications must be determined in accordance with the development plan for the area, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The Framework is a material consideration in planning decisions, as are the planning concerns of residents.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rosie Cooper on 2016-01-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy to ensure that borough councils in two-tier authority areas provide sandbags to all residents to protect their properties during incidents of flooding.

James Wharton

It is up to individual local authorities to set their policies for sandbag distribution and allocation to residents based on flood risk.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rosie Cooper on 2016-03-01.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether there is any mechanism by which the Lancashire justice area management team can seek to reverse the decision to allocate Skelmersdale criminal cases to Wigan Magistrates’ Court.

Caroline Dinenage

Listing is a judicial responsibility and function. Any final decisions as to the allocation of work between court houses will be for the Lancashire and Cumbria Judicial Business Group (subject to the supervision of the Presiding Judges of the circuit) to make in due course.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rosie Cooper on 2016-07-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what progress her Department has made on implementation of the recommendations of the Harris Review.

Sir Oliver Heald

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 19 April (PQ 34222).

The government’s response to the Harris Review was published in December 2015 and is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/486564/gov-response-harris-review.pdf

Work continues on implementation of those recommendations which the Government accepted which have not already been implemented.

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rosie Cooper on 2016-07-21.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what (a) consultation, (b) decision-making process and (c) timetable he plans for deciding the final rules for the Government’s Lifetime Individual Savings Accounts (ISA) scheme; and whether he plans to conduct a consultation on what life events in addition to the purchase of a first home will be eligible for penalty-free withdrawal of such investments before the age of 60.

Jane Ellison

Following the Budget, the Government has engaged with industry on the detailed design of the Lifetime ISA, including on penalty-free withdrawals.

The Queen’s Speech for the 2016-17 session announced the Government’s intention to legislate for the Lifetime ISA. The legislation which will enact this measure will be introduced to Parliament in due course.

The Government will continue to talk to industry and interested parties about the Lifetime ISA while the Bill is being considered by the House, leading up to its planned launch.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rosie Cooper on 2016-01-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will provide guidance to residents whose homes have been flooded in circumstances where the failure of a local agency, local authority or private company to maintain the water management infrastructure adequately can be demonstrated, on how those residents can seek redress or compensation.

Rory Stewart

The Environment Agency and local authorities have permissive powers to maintain flood defences, flood risk assets, culverts or drains. Sewerage companies have a duty under section 94 of the Water Industry Act 1991 to effectually drain their area.

Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) are responsible, under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, for investigating and publish reports on incidents of flooding. These reports may identify the causes of a flooding incident. Those who have been flooded may wish to contact their local LLFA about these reports.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rosie Cooper on 2016-01-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many companies have been ordered by the NHS Identity Team to stop using the NHS logo in the last three years.

George Freeman

Over the last three years, approximately 250 companies have been informed by the NHS Identity team that they are not permitted to use the National Health Service logo.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rosie Cooper on 2016-03-01.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the feasibility of train operators or Network Rail taking over the operation of train ticket offices previously operated by local authorities.

Claire Perry

No local authorities operate train ticket offices, therefore no such assessment has been made.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rosie Cooper on 2016-07-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to correspondence with her from the hon. Member for West Lancashire, for what reasons the Disclosure and Barring Service took from 8 October 2015 to 18 April 2016 to process the certificate application of a West Lancashire constituent.

Mike Penning

The Disclosure and Barring Service is responsible for issuing criminal record certificates and the maintenance of children’s and adults’ barred lists. The Disclosure and Barring Service has a target of processing 85% of all disclosure applications within 21 days. In the vast majority of cases (95%), disclosure certificates are issued within 8 weeks (2015/16).

Criminal record certificates issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service do not expire after a specific period of time and do not include a renewal date. A certificate has no set period of validity. Information revealed through a Disclosure and Barring Service check reflects the information that was available at the time of its issue. Disclosure certificates are primarily designed to be used by an employer at the point of recruitment for a particular position.

Some roles and some employers require the person concerned to “renew” their Disclosure and Barring Service check at specific intervals. The person can do that either by applying for a new certificate or by using the Disclosure and Barring Service Update Service.

It would not be appropriate to comment on specific cases, but there are a number of factors which can affect the timely completion of checks. These include the length of time if can take for an employer to deal with the initial application, the accurate completion of the application form, the clarity of the information provided, the existence of conviction or non-conviction information, legal challenges and the operational effectiveness of the disclosure units of the police forces involved, if any, in the enhanced process. In some cases, forces will ask Disclosure and Barring Service to clarify some details provided by the applicant which requires further investigation and this can cause further delays.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rosie Cooper on 2016-07-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his Department’s (a) procedures and (b) protocols are for the placing of mental health patients in care homes.

Nicola Blackwood

A person who requires mental health treatment should have their needs assessed by a mental health professional who will then refer them for treatment in the least restrictive environment to meet their clinical needs and risk. For the majority of patients care and treatment will be provided while they are living in their own home.

If a person needs treatment which can only be provided in hospital or their level of risk is such that it can only be managed in a hospital then that treatment would be provided in a hospital, which is registered to provide that type of care. It is unlikely that a care home could provide care and treatment for a person who has been assessed as needing hospital treatment.