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Local Government Finance
A report sets out details of the final Local Government settlement for 2026 to 2027 requiring approval by the House of Commons early in 2026.
In this multi-year settlement, the first for a decade, the Government will set allocations for financial years 2027-28 and 2028-29.
Local Authorities and other interested parties have been responding to a consultation which has full details.
Duty to Cooperate ends
The Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Matthew Pennycook MP, wrote to the Planning Inspectorate in November 2025 to set out that the Government intends to revoke the Duty to Co-operate for the current plan-making system.
Paul Morrison, the CEO of the Planning Inspectorate, replied on 15th December 2025 welcoming the change and giving details on how Local Plans will be examined and legally compliant and sound plans brought forward to adoption.
A National Plan to End Homelessness
A strategy to tackle homelessness was presented to Parliament in December 2025 by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, The Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP.
He said “We’re building more social and affordable homes by a £39 billion investment and banning no-fault evictions. We’re investing in homelessness services to act early, supporting councils ensuring there’s join up between public services to prevent rather than just manage crises.”
The House of Commons Library has issued a report on temporary accommodation.
Single Construction Regulator
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase 2 report recommended a single regulator that draws together functions relating to the construction industry.
There is a Government consultation on a Single Construction Regulator until 20th March 2026.
New NPPF consultation
The Government issued a new version of the National Planning Policy Framework with a consultation until 10th March 2026. London Forum’s members are asked to consider the local implications of the proposed planning rules and to respond to the consultation. Specific concerns or recommendations can be notified to us.
There was a long debate in Parliament on the proposed new NPPF.
The lawyer Nicola Gooch has issued an NPPF briefing with additional links and Simon Ricketts has commented on the content of the new NPPF.
Chief Planning Officer’s newsletter
Joanna Averley, MHCLG’s Chief Planner, has issued her latest newsletter to local authorities.
It covers the new NPPF; the Planning & Infrastructure Bill; Planning Advisory Service events; funding for LPAs; planning skills and capacity survey results; consultation on cross-pavement solutions for electric vehicle charging; climate guidance by RTPI and TCPA; Neighbourhood Planning financial support and getting Sustainable Urban Drainage right from the start.
Online appeals service
The Planning Inspectorate has completed the national rollout of its new digital appeals service, enabling all local planning authorities to manage planning appeals online.
All LPAs can now use the new service to manage appeals for Householder (HAS), Planning (S78), Listed Building (S20), Commercial Planning, Commercial Adverts, and Advertisements. On-line Enforcement, Enforcement Listed Building and Lawful Development Certificate facilities will be introduced in February 2026.
More details are here, video below
New Resource Pages
There are many public sources of articles, reports and publications that could be important to London Forum’s members to help awareness of policy changes and activity of Government and GLA departments. The information could be useful for the way societies work with their local authority and their MP.
To help you, we’ve created a Resources website menu with links to useful research resources on the Internet, as well as to relevant London Forum material, including the Find Your Local Society page with its new map, and the [more…]
Hounslow Council Leader responds to criticism about finances
On 11th November 2025, London Forum published an update containing criticisms by LB Hounslow Councillors of the cost of the Council’s ‘Lampton Group’ and the loans made to it.
In the Chiswick Calendar online magazine, the local authority’s Leader, Shantanu Rajawat, has responded to those criticisms over Hounslow’s finances, as here. He explains how Hounslow’s finances are in “remarkably good shape”.
![A4 cyclepath [photo: OGWRA]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/A4-cyclepath-OGWRA.jpg?fit=600%2C400&ssl=1)
A4 cycle lane needs repair
A London Forum member society in Osterley has asked people to sign their petition, as below.
While there is major investment in Cycle Superhighway 9, the neglected A4 cycle path from Cranford to Chiswick remains hazardous and poorly maintained, prompting urgent calls for resurfacing, regular cleaning, safer junctions, and improved infrastructure to ensure it meets the safety standards of West London’s cycling network.
Please send this link to anyone who cycles on the A4 cycle path, or would like to do so. https://www.owgra.org.uk/petition-a4-cyclepath
Survey of UK investors
Investec published in November its 2025 Future Living report. It highlights the investment sector’s resilience when facing problems of regulation and economic policy hampering near-term prospects. Those include the impact of the Building Safety Act and the Renters’ Right Act on investment decisions.
The survey was of 50 global institutional investors in UK real estate representing £300 billion assets under management. The results highlight the asset classes most affected and the ways in which investors and developers are adapting.
Zipcar leaves London
The website ‘London Centric’ has reported that Zipcar has decided to end offering their car and van rental services in London – subscribers should have received the email notification shown. The article explains the Zipcar decision and the effect on people in the capital using their vehicles.