Environment Economy Housing and Transport Board End of year report

Purpose of report

For information.

Summary

This report provides and overview of the work of the Environment Economy Housing and Transport (EEHT) Board in the period September 2019 to August 2020.

Recommendation That the Executive Advisory Board notes and provide comment on the work of the EEHT Board Action Officers will take action as directed

Contact officer:	Eamon lally

Position:	Principal Policy Adviser

Phone no:	0207 6643132

Email:	eamon.lally@local.gov.uk

Environment Economy Housing and Transport Board End of year report

Environment

Household waste and recycling centres and COVID-19

Councils kept household waste and recycling collection services running during the COVID-19 outbreak, making rapid changes to keep staff safe and deal with increased volumes of material at levels normally only seen at Christmas. The majority of councils closed their household waste and recycling centres following the advice to stay at home and avoid all non-essential travel. We worked with councils to understand the conditions that would need to be in place for our recycling centres to re-open safely and led discussions with Government the support councils needed to do this, including changes to guidance. Recycling centres have re-opened and we have continued to engage with Government and waste industry stakeholders on longer term challenges. Additional COVID-19 safety measures at recycling centres are likely to remain in place for some time.

Flooding

In March, the budget confirmed that investment in the flood and coastal defence programme in England will be doubled to £5.2 billion over six years and provide £200 million over the next six years for a place-based resilience programme. We welcomed the extra investment and called for greater flexibility to allow different capital and revenue funding streams to be devolved into a single place-based pot.

Climate change and environment

The Board reviewed the range of actions taken by councils to tackle climate change, reviewing the work of 100 councils and hearing from environmental charity Ashden about the co-benefits of action to reduce carbon emissions. Case studies and notable practice have been published on the LGA’s climate change support hub.

The LGA has been working with Local Partnerships to identify good practice in developing renewable energy projects and looking at the challenges of scaling up activity to meet future demand and fully decarbonise the energy grid by 2020. The final report will be published this month.

Parliamentary activity was suspended during the COVID-19 outbreak, pausing progress with the Environment Bill. We supported the principles of the Bill and continued to raise our concerns about the implementation and additional burdens on councils, for example in reforms to the planning system to require a contribution to improved biodiversity from all new development. We argued that any unspent financial biodiversity credits should stay with local authorities so local people can have a say on how it is spent.

The Environment Bill will reform the waste and recycling system and require packaging producers to pay local authorities for the full net cost of the waste they create. We have been calling for this to include the cost of litter and fly tipping. Councillor Philip Glanville discussed the LGA’s view on the Bill at the Committee stage in March including the areas we would like to see amended on waste and recycling, flooding and biodiversity net gain. Parliament is expected to restart discussion of the Bill in late September.

Economy

Economic recovery

The LGA has been engaging with Ministers and officials to represent the interests of councils and their communities in economic recovery. While the initial focus of Government was on the relaxation of the lock down and reopening retail, we have also been able to raise longer term issues. We have pushed for the focus of the medium and longer-term recovery discussions with Government to be on: employment and skills; housing; a green and inclusive recovery; and continuing support to business. We have drawn on existing LGA policy and worked to provide a single voice for local government, stressing the importance of moving forward quickly to implementation.

High Streets and Town Centres

Councils have been working hard to help their high streets and town centres respond to changing shopping habits, which have been accelerated through the COVID-19 pandemic. However, their efforts have been hampered through lack of access to resources which we highlighted to Government. We therefore welcomed increase in funding for towns to £3.6 billion through the Future High Streets Fund and Stronger Towns Fund. The fund is targeted at a limited number of towns. Whilst this funding will help those places, we have called for funding to be increased and to reach more towns that will be impacted as a result of the pandemic.

In order to help member councils, the LGA had also updated its online resources and added further case studies of how councils were helping their high streets as the lockdown from the pandemic was eased.

Housing Planning and Homelessness

Improving the private rented sector – a guide for councils

We recently published our research and hosted a webinar on Improving the private sector: a guide for councils which looks at the role of councils in improving the quality and standards of homes that best meet the needs of local residents and places. There is a report, a set of case studies and a toolkit which together, form a good practice guide for councils. They highlight diversity and the need for a localist approach to activity. Each of the publications centres, principally, on (i) the strategic role of councils, (ii) consumer regulation (iii) enforcement and (iv) emerging issues.

Housing Delivery Group

The LGA and OPE have convened a housing delivery discussion group, consisting of senior Housing and Regeneration Leads from a number of local authorities across England. The purpose of the group is to understand and collectively think about the challenges and opportunities for councils to deliver housing in both the short and medium – long term. The first session was jointly hosted by the LGA and OPE in partnership with Homes England and provided invaluable insight for shaping our support offers to members and informing our engagement with government - including our recommendations for the housing stimulus package. The second session is scheduled for September.

Webinars in response to COVID-19

In July we held a webinar with PAS on Planning: Development Management. The webinar was an opportunity to hear from speakers about their experiences during the Covid-19 period in continuing to accept, consider and make decisions on planning applications.

In June we held a webinar on Housing delivery, which focused on how councils, as leaders of place and, the development industry can start building again as the housing market begins to restart following Covid-19.

Post pandemic recovery and resilience planning package

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, in July we published a planning package setting out how government can support councils by giving them the tools and powers required to deliver the safe, high quality homes and infrastructure their communities need. The package includes a range of key issues and recommendations to ensure stability and certainty in planning underpinned by the appropriate resourcing and funding to invest in local places. This formed part of the LGA’s Keep Local planning campaign, which was supported by a number of signatories including national organisations. This advocated for national recovery to be led by a local planning system with public participation at its heart.

Delivery of council housing: a stimulus package post pandemic.

In June we published a council housing stimulus package that included a range of policy and fiscal interventions that would have a positive impact in stimulating an increase in the supply of council housing.

HoC Environmental Audit Committee inquiry on Environmental Efficiency of Existing Housing

In June we submitted evidence to the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) inquiry into the Energy Efficiency of Existing Homes. The inquiry followed up on findings from the BEIS Committee’s 2019 Energy Efficiency inquiry. Our submission advocated for councils having the flexibility needed to set energy efficiency standards above the current building regulation standards to achieve net zero carbon and better quality housing. We also recommended that the Government considers alternative measures to the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) that will account for the decarbonisation of electricity and modern energy efficiency technologies.

Business and Planning Act 2020

This Act came into effect in July and is intended primarily to help hospitality premises during but also ensure that the planning system can continue to operate effectively and support the safe construction of new development following the impact of Covid-19. The Act introduces further measures including a new process for developers to request changes to construction hours and flexibility for the Planning Inspectorate to use more than one type of procedure for planning appeals. It also responded to LGA calls, by extending planning permissions which have expired since the beginning of lockdown or are due to expire before the end of the year. Our briefings on the Bill are available here.

First Homes Standard consultation

In May we responded to Government proposals for a scheme to provide homes for first-time buyers with a 30 per cent discount against market value. The consultation covered both the design of the scheme and proposed planning changes. We broadly supported the principle of First Homes as a discounted home-ownership product which could assist first-time buyers to purchase a home they can afford in their own communities. However, we raised concerns about the potential impact on the delivery of social and affordable rented homes. We advocated for proposals to take into account local housing need rather than those that would strengthen a national presumption in favour of First Homes. The Government has included its final proposals for First Homes in the Change to the current planning system consultation document, which we will be responding to a part of the wider planning reforms.

Housing Communities and Local Government Committee inquiry on long-term social and affordable rented housing

In March Mayor Philip Glanville (Hackney) gave oral evidence to the Committee on behalf of the LGA. Our evidence emphasised the following key messages: that councils are working hard to deliver more desperately needed homes social housing should be treated as a vital national investment; a local, well-resourced planning system is needed to deliver homes; and that as a nation we need to build homes of all tenures. The Committee’s final report reflected a number of our recommendations including that there is compelling evidence that England needs at least 90,000 net additional social rent homes a year and it is time for the Government to invest; that local authorities should receive 100 per cent of Right to Buy receipts and have longer to spend them; and that a social housebuilding programme should be top of the Government’s agenda to rebuild the country from the impact of COVID-19.

House of Lords Economic Affairs inquiry: Building More Homes

In February EEHT Board Chair David Renard gave oral evidence to the Committee on behalf of the LGA. Our evidence focussed on the following key messages: councils are working hard to deliver more desperately needed homes; social housing should be treated as a vital national investment; lifting the borrowing cap was helpful but other cost pressures remain; a local, well-resourced planning system is needed to deliver homes; Right to Buy should be reformed and put on a more sustainable footing.

Future Homes Standard consultation

In February we responded to MHCLG’s proposals for the Future Homes Standard, including proposed options to increase the energy efficiency requirements for new homes in 2020. In our submission we supported local authorities in their ambition to tackle climate change and reduce carbon emissions across housing and all their business in the shift towards achieving net zero carbon. We supported proposals to increase the quality and carbon neutrality of both new build and existing housing stock as part of the wider transition necessary to achieve net zero carbon across all sectors.

Probity in planning guidance

In December 2019 we updated our previous 2013 Probity in Planning guidance. The updated guidance clarifies how councillors can get involved in planning discussions on plan making and on applications, on behalf of their communities in a fair, impartial and transparent way. The guide was written for officers and councillors involved in making planning decisions.

Leadership Essentials course on Housing

In November 2019 we delivered our first Leadership Essentials course on housing. The programme was aimed at leaders, deputy leaders, and relevant portfolio holders, and has been designed to help participants develop their leading role in shaping the local housing market to meet the needs of people and places. Another course will be delivered in early 2021.

Housing Advisers Programme (HAP)

The LGA launched the 2019/20 programme in July 2019 and have funded 24 projects. Following project delays as a result of Covid-19, we are continuing to work with these councils and have adapted the programme’s learning elements so that they can be delivered virtually. This includes the ‘Telling your Story’ evaluation event with Design Council which was due to take place in March 2020 and is now being delivered over a series of webinars and workshops.

Homelessness Reduction Act 2017: call for evidence

We responded to the government’s call for evidence on the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, which closed in October 2019. In our response, we highlighted the positive and proactive work undertaken by councils to prevent homelessness, as well as on the ongoing challenges in implementing the Act: a significant administrative burden, ongoing difficulties in securing affordable housing, and the constrained local government funding environment, all of which have contributed to a rise in demand for homelessness services as well as reducing councils’ ability to manage this demand. We recommended cross-government measures to prevent homelessness, including the introduction of an additional duty to cooperate on public agencies, reform of right to buy, and long-term investment in local government.

A new deal for renting: resetting the balance of rights and responsibilities between landlords and tenants

We responded to the government’s consultation on tenancy reform, which closed on 12 October 2019. In our response, we recognised the impetus to reduce the number of evictions occurring as a result of Section 21 evictions from the private rented sector, and highlighted the measures needed to ensure that the drivers of evictions were addressed, including improved investment in the welfare safety net and reform of Right to Buy. We also recommended an increased focus on landlord training, access to legal aid for tenants, and more flexibility for councils to introduce local licensing schemes, to reduce the incidence of illegal evictions.

HCLG Committee inquiry on the impact of COVID-19 on homelessness and the private rented sector.

We responded to an HCLG inquiry on the impact of COVID-19, which closed in May 2020. In our response, we highlighted the significant pressures on councils to deliver the Everyone In policy programme, and the limited availability of funding and guidance from central government. We recommended that the government urgently outlined a clear strategy to enable councils to re-accommodate and support people in emergency accommodation, backed by sufficient funding. We also highlighted the need for a stronger preventative response to mitigate the pressures of COVID-19 on low-income households, including investment in the mainstream benefits system and measures to improve the supply of affordable housing.

Making homelessness strategies happen

In December 2019, we published advice for councils on how to formulate and deliver effective local homelessness strategies, and improve support for homeless households

Housing people who were rough sleeping

In June 2020, we worked with Local Partnerships to publish a briefing for councils on housing people who were rough sleeping, and those at risk, who have been accommodated due to COVID-19. The briefing aimed to support councils to identify options for re-accommodating people in emergency accommodation and provided practical advice on sourcing and funding accommodation and support.

Fragmented funding

We worked on a cross-board basis to deliver research on the extent of fragmentation in local government grant funding from central government. The research, which will be published in advance of the LGA’s spending review submission, found that councils received approximately 450 unique grants from central government between 2015/16 and 2018/19. It will provide recommendations to central government for improving the funding settlement in a way that enables councils to work flexibly and in the long-term with partners to deliver integrated services and improve outcomes for local people.

Homelessness prevention

We commissioned the Institute for Social Policy, Housing, Equalities Research to deliver research into how central government can enable councils to prevent homelessness, which will be published in advance of the LGA’s spending review submission. The research makes recommendations to address the root causes of homelessness, including the labour market and welfare-related poverty, a lack of affordable housing, and a disproportionate focus by central government on the management of new rough sleeping.

Housing revenue Account – future financial capacity

We commissioned Savills to deliver research into stock owning councils’ capacity to deliver investment in building safety, Net Zero Carbon, and a new Decent Homes programme, in addition to contributing to the government’s target for new affordable housing of 140,000. The research has found that councils are likely to face a funding gap in delivering these programmes in combination, and makes recommendations for government on grant investment, as well as other policy measures required to ensure a sustainable self-financing settlement.

Leadership essentials

In December 2019, we delivered our first Leadership Essentials course on homelessness. The programme was aimed at leaders, deputy leaders, and relevant portfolio holders, and has been designed to help participants develop their role in reducing homelessness and the risks of homelessness in their areas. Another course will be delivered in Autumn 2020.

Transport

ANPR for cycle lanes

The Department for Transport’s cycle safety review proposed allowing ANPR enforcement against cars parking in cycle lanes. This was previously not allowed as a legacy of the previous Government’s policy of banning parking tickets being issued by CCTV. The LGA called to have this restriction removed. A guidance note was launched in the spring allowing councils to begin enforcement.

Pavement Parking

The Department for Transport has launched a consultation on pavement parking. Currently in London there is a default ban on pavement parking, but councils can choose to allow it in designated areas. The position is the opposite in the rest of England; it is allowed by default except in areas where it is specifically banned. The LGA has welcomed this consultation and has long called for simplification of the process to create exemptions. The consultation is asking whether a change of existing pavement parking legislation should occur and proposes 3 options:

Improving the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) process, under which local authorities can already prohibit pavement parking.

A legislative change to allow local authorities with civil parking enforcement powers to enforce against ‘unnecessary obstruction of the pavement’.

A legislative change to introduce a London-style pavement parking prohibition throughout England.

Bus and active travel funding

The Government announced £5 billion of new funding to overhaul bus and cycle links for every region outside London. They intended to improve transport connections throughout the country, making everyday journeys easier, greener and more convenient. The package of investment will boost bus services by focusing on a range of priorities, including:

Higher frequency services, including evenings and weekends, to make it easier and less restrictive for people to get around at any time of day

More ‘turn up and go’ routes where, thanks to higher frequency, people won’t have to rely on timetables to plan journeys

New priority schemes will make routes more efficient, so that buses avoid congested routes and can speed passengers through traffic

More affordable, simpler fares

At least 4,000 new Zero Emission Buses to make greener travel the convenient option, driving forward the UK’s progress on its net zero ambitions.

Of the £5 billion, £2 billion has been allocated to cycling and walking schemes. An initial tranche of active travel funding was released as part of the emergency COVID active travel money to councils in order to encourage more people to use active travel as lockdown was eased. There were also measures to make it easier to use traffic orders to introduce new schemes. We are still awaiting the allocation announcement for the bus funds.

Rail reform

The pandemic response has brought forward changes to the rail industry with the termination of all rail franchises and the move to management contracts. We have advocated a greater role for local authorities in the future arrangements and the Conservative manifesto included commitments to allow city regions to have integrated rail, light rail and bus networks.

Extra pothole money

The Conservative manifesto also included a pledge for additional funding to deal with the local roads repair backlog. The February budget pledged an additional £500 million extra to councils a year from 2020-21 to 2024-25 through the new Potholes Fund. Councils received an initial allocation of £250m in the spring and we are likely to see this additional money added to the baseline funding for roads repair after the CSR.

Decarbonisation plan

After the LGA declared a climate emergency the board we have spent the year working on a decarbonisation policy briefing series with academics form the University of Leeds. The DfT has also produced an initial decarbonisation document setting the level of carbon reduction that we need to see in transport. This document will feed into the DfT’s decarbonisation of transport plan. The initial ideas included a strong commitment to place based solutions and an acknowledgement that there will be variability in solutions in transport. We will continue to work with the DfT on the production of their final strategy.

TMA part 6

The EEHT board has been calling for the full implementation of Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004. In the Government’s new cycling strategy, they have committed to the full implementation of the powers which will allow all highway authorities to enforce moving traffic violations like banned turns, HGV bans and one-way streets using cameras.

We await the publication of statutory guidance, but initial discussions indicate a system like the one in Wales with revenue being retained by councils to ensure that enforcement can be self-funding.

Implications for Wales

There are not immediate implications for Wales.

Financial Implications

There are no financial implications arising from this report

Next steps

The EEHT Board has set objectives for the following year reflecting the changed socio-economic and environmental circumstances as well as the LGA Business Plan priorities.