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Borough finance difficulties
London Councils, representing local authorities in London, has issued a press release on how the housing crisis threatens to bankrupt London boroughs due to the £330m overspend in coping with homeless people.
Using the LG Ombudsman
If complaints to a local Council about their services or actions have not reached an acceptable conclusion, a case can be raised with the Local Government Ombudsman. The website of that department has details. Unfortunately, Councils can refuse to comply with the LG Ombudsman’s directions.
Fees for planning applications
The Government has updated its guidance which explains planning related fees, to what they apply and the method of calculating them, as here.
Planning and Infrastructure Bill
Lawyers at Town Legal produced a summary of changes in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill (PAIB). Civic Voice commented on the Bill with concern about changes to local authorities’ planning committees.
London Forum draws attention, as here, to some of the amendments proposed for the Commons Committee Stage of the Bill and will report progress of that committee on its meetings from 29th April 2025. It has to complete its work by 22nd May 2025.
100 years to clear family social housing waiting lists
New data of the National Housing Federation, Crisis and Shelter found that acute shortages of social housing suitable for families mean it would now take more than 100 years to clear waiting lists in some places, with London 15th of the top 20 most affected UK areas. Boroughs spend £4m a day providing temporary housing. See more here.
Councillor’s right to vote
The Supreme Court provided an analysis of councillors’ right to vote and when that right may be restricted. The Court decided it is lawful for standing orders in an authority’s Constitution to restrict voting by committee members on a deferred application for permission to those who had been present at the meeting(s) at which the application had previously been considered. More here.
Broken Homes
Further to London Forum’s notification of the problems of temporary accommodation, MyLondon website has launched a ‘Broken Homes’ campaign to shine light on city’s housing crisis. MyLondon editor Deanne Blaylock said: “Our words have highlighted the plight of many families, from those stuck on housing waiting lists for a decade to people forced to live in mould-infested properties. From Londoners with disabilities trapped in high-rise buildings to those surrounded by walls and ceilings that are quite literally crumbling around them. Their homes are broken, the system [more…]
Mayor’s licensing powers
GLA Deputy Mayors have written to boroughs calling for action in supporting hospitality. The Government has formed a new working group, as described here, to explore how to reduce barriers within the licensing system. To revitalise the capital’s nightlife, a proposal is to grant the Mayor of London new powers to review and potentially overturn licensing applications blocked by local councils. That is of concern if local communities could be adversely affected.
Dave Hill has commented on this for ONLONDON.
DCMS Inquiry: Protecting Built Heritage
We’ve responded to the recent DCMS inquiry on Protecting Built Heritage, the response is posted in the ‘what we’ve said‘ archive as usual, and linked below for your convenience.
London Forum commented on the need for funding for English Heritage and Historic England, the importance of grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the deployment of enough skilled heritage practitioners.
Business waste
The Local Government Association published a report ‘Let’s Do Business Waste’ last September with recommendations. However, there have been more problems with commercial waste littering high streets and Create Streets has issued a ‘Rubbish Refuse’ report with its own proposals for dealing with businesses’ waste bags on pavements which can half the perceived pleasantness of the public realm.
Planning in London, Issue 133, April-June 2025
Issue 133 of Planning in London, the journal of the London Planning and Development Forum, has been released, covering the period April-June 2025. London Forum has an agreed subscription arrangement whereby our members may read it.
The full edition is not available on the website.
Children in temporary accommodation
The report by the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee on this subject shows over 164,000 homeless children are currently living in temporary accommodation across England. Some families are in such accommodation for years without a settled home offer, due to the chronic shortage of social and affordable housing. London boroughs spend a combined total of £4 million per day on temporary accommodation.
London Councils, representing London’s boroughs, has commented on that as here.