Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Accepted
Department reminded local planning authorities of statutory obligations for Infrastructure Funding Statements.
Recommendation
We asked the Department why it did not issue stronger guidance to local authorities that IFSs must be delivered on time and in a more consistent form. It told us that, following the publication of the NAO report, the Chief Planner wrote to every LPA to remind them of their statutory obligations regarding the completion of IFSs. The Department explained that the letters also reminded local authorities of the existing template for IFSs, along with good practice examples as identified by the Planning Advisory Service (a Local Government Association body that is funded by the Department).11 Local plans
Government Response Summary
The government agrees to explore proportionate and efficient ways of collecting and analysing data from IFSs, alongside other relevant sources of evidence, with a target implementation date of Autumn 2026. They have reminded LPAs of their statutory duty and will continue to support LPA capacity and capability through the PAS.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
1. PAC conclusion: The Department does not have a sufficient understanding of why the developer contributions system is not working effectively. 1. PAC recommendation: • The Department should improve its data collection from infrastructure funding statements to provide a more complete and timely understanding of the situation; and • The Department should also ensure that LPAs are completing infrastructure funding statements in line with their statutory duties. 1.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2026 1.2 The statutory requirement for local authorities to publish infrastructure funding statements (IFSs) helps local communities and developers see how contributions from development have been spent and understand what future funds will be spent on. While the primary responsibility for these documents sits with local authorities and their primary purpose is to enhance local transparency and accountability, the government recognises that data from IFSs could be used to improve understanding of how the developer contributions system is working. This would sit alongside existing and accredited official statistics, such as those on affordable housing supply in England. The department will therefore explore proportionate and efficient ways of collecting and analysing data from IFSs, alongside other relevant sources of evidence. 1.3 Any authority that receives contributions is legally required to publish an IFS annually on their website. Guidance on producing an IFS is already available on the Planning Advisory Service (PAS) website – an organisation that is funded and supported by the government. Earlier this year, the Chief Planner also wrote to all local planning authorities (LPAs) to remind them of their statutory duty, and a reminder has been included in the Chief Planner’s Newsletter, with an additional invitation to LPAs to share their IFS directly with the department.