Question
HMOs are the only way many young people can afford to rent, but their unregulated growth leads to the loss of family homes. However, Bath and North East Somerset council has taken action, and has included in its draft local plan a ban on the conversion of homes that would otherwise mean the loss of three-bedroom homes in Southdown, Twerton and Odd Down. Will the Minister congratulate Bath council?100% vibes
Answer
I will congratulate the hon. Member’s local authority. As I say, it is through up-to-date local plans and strong policies on HMOs that local authorities can ensure that they are properly regulated. After all, development plans are the basis on which decision makers, irrespective of whether they are officers or committees, will make their decisions. There is good practice out there in the country—including in my own local authority area, as I have said—and I encourage any local planning authority with concerns to familiarise itself with that good practice.
Verdict: GREEN (86/100)
The question asked whether the Minister would congratulate the council on its three-bedroom conversion ban, and the reply gives a clear, direct commitment to do so. It adds context about up-to-date local plans and strong HMO policies but does not discuss the ban itself in detail. Because the question only asked about the congratulations, the asker has the committed answer they need to move on.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Will the Minister congratulate Bath and North East Somerset Council on including in its draft local plan a ban on conversions to HMOs that would result in the loss of three-bedroom homes in Southdown, Twerton and Odd Down? | Addressed | Direct | The Minister directly commits to congratulating the council, which is the yes/no action the item asks about, and the surrounding statements about up-to-date local plans and strong HMO policies give context for why. The reply does not discuss the specific three-bedroom conversion ban in detail, but the item only asks whether the congratulations will be given. |