Sunday, December 30, 2012

Ros in the Lords: Written Questions - Gypsies and Travellers and Council Tax

Here's another of Ros's interventions that I hadn't covered, from 17 October 2011...

At the height of the Dale Farm controversy, Ros was intrigued to find out what action the Government was taking to address the question of provision for gypsy and traveller communities, and their position regarding council tax...


Baroness Scott of Needham Market (Liberal Democrat)

To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made on a national policy framework for the Gypsy and Traveller community.

Baroness Hanham (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Communities and Local Government; Conservative)

The consultation on the Government's draft planning policy for traveller sites closed in August. We intend to publish a new policy as soon as possible, following due consideration of the consultation responses.

The consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework is open until 17 October. We welcome views from everyone on all aspects of the framework. This includes views on the consistency of the draft framework with the draft planning policy for traveller sites, or any other comments about our intention to incorporate planning policy for traveller sites into the final framework.


Baroness Scott of Needham Market (Liberal Democrat)

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether council tax is payable on properties that do not have adequate planning permission.

Baroness Hanham (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Communities and Local Government; Conservative)

An unoccupied dwelling where the occupation is prohibited by law (including by planning law) is exempt from council tax. Occupied dwellings not exempt for another reason are chargeable, whether or not they have adequate planning permission.

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