Written question asked by Jack Dromey (Labour) on Monday, 12 September 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 14 September 2011. It was answered by Greg Clark (Conservative) on Monday, 10 October 2011 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Local Development Frameworks

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what (a) financial assistance and (b) other support his Department plans to provide to local authorities which do not have a local development framework in place to introduce one;

Answer: Councils' statutory planning functions are financed through formula grant. As with all local government functions and services, there is significant potential for councils to make savings and do more for less through better procurement and joint working.A number of our reforms are reducing planning burdens on local authorities—such as through reducing the need for unnecessary planning applications and the abolition of regional planning.My Department has also provided £3 million of funding in 2011-12 to the Planning Advisory Service to provide consultancy and peer support, learning events and online resources to assist councils on planning reform.

Secondary information