Ann Packard FRSA HonFRIAS’ Post

We need all hands on deck to tackle the housing and affordability crisis. An example of this is the lifting of the HST and GST by the provincial and federal governments for new purpose-built rental units. We need more of this type of leadership if we’re to tackle this crisis. 👉 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gPr3pr5

Hunt extends the Empty Rates reset period in England to 13 weeks. There wasnt much on business rates in todays budget: 40% relief for Eligible Film studios in England until 2034 - it will be interesting to see what the eligibility criteria are- and extending the empty rates reset period. Whilst a longer reset period may recoup a bit more money in empty rates it does nothing to address the underlying problems in levying a tax on occupation on owners of vacant property who can't find occupiers. There is some small comfort that the system will still be subject to consistent rules rather than the open season that Scotland now suffers with each council able to set their own rules on empty rates meaning that many are now charging 100% rates on all vacant property including undeveloped land, listed buildings and small RVs. The Chancellor also announced a consultation on a "General Anti Avoidance Rule" for Empty Rates - I hope the proposals dont include giving council's discretion on when to allow relief as that leads to confusion and inconsistency and removes ratepayers' right to challenge unreasonable refusal of relief.

Measures adopted in Bill C-59 include: AML/ATF amendments including: • bringing sanctions evasion within the scope of the reporting, analysis and disclosure scheme of the PCMLTFA, requiring reporting entities to, inter alia, report transactions related to the commission of a sanctions evasion offence to FINTRAC • extending the money services business regime under the PCMLTFA to apply to providers of acquirer services for private “white label” automated banking machines • require reporting to customs officers of the importation or exportation of goods whether the goods are proceeds of crime, or are goods related to money laundering, terrorist financing or sanctions evasion, as well to declare that the goods are actually being imported or exported Modernizing competition law in Canada including to allow Canadians to repair their devices by preventing product manufacturers from refusing to provide the means of repair of devices, in an anti-competitive manner A new leave related to pregnancy loss in the Canada Labour Code ❤️🩹 Amendments under the Criminal Code including amendments concerning production orders for financial data/digital assets

This week's update (https://lnkd.in/g-qm6HAG) brings a mix of policy, perspective, and international relations. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to make a carbon tax pitch amidst challenging poll numbers. Meanwhile, Casey Edge offers insights from the building industry on the government's significant housing promises. Additionally, Colwood Councillor Ian Ward, shares his experiences from a recent visit to Israel. - At 5:09, hear from Councillor Ian Ward on local developments and his international insights. - By 18:23, join Casey Edge, Executive Director of the Victoria Residential Builders Association, for an expert take on housing policies. #PolicyUpdate #TrudeauCarbonTax #HousingInsights #InternationalRelations #ColwoodCouncil #IsraelVisit #CommunityConversations #NationBuilding #LocalDevelopments #ExpertTake #StayInformed #CriticalConversations #BuildingIndustry #GovernmentPromises #ClimateAction #EconomicPolls #ResidentialBuilders #VictoriaHousing #CanadianPolitics #GlobalPerspective

The Government has published proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and is seeking public input on these changes. The proposal seeks to undo a number of changes made to the NPPF in December 2023 to streamline the planning process and push through an ambitious plan to get Britain building.    In our latest insight our planning experts Suzanne Smith and Jennifer Eng focus, in particular, on the reforms for housing delivery and affordable housing: https://lnkd.in/eD5bZ4Tw

Bradford Council is set to make £40m in cuts, closing tips, raising Council Tax, and selling public buildings in a bid to avoid financial collapse. As austerity's impact deepens, the public is invited to share their views on the proposed measures. 💬💼 #BradfordCouncil #BudgetCuts #FinancialCrisis Read the full story:▶️ https://lnkd.in/dTFJdThu

Excellent peice on a vital issue.

There is increasing concern about the financial viability of some local authorities, with estimates by the LGA suggesting that councils in England are facing a funding gap of £4 billion. English councils are under increasing financial pressures, with 1 in 9 fearing a section 114 notice (effective bankruptcy). Councils have limited levers to address the funding shortfall. The main levers are to raise council taxes, to cut spending on goods and services, or to cut transfers to households. City-REDI's Matthew Lyons and Centre of Economic Scenario Analysis and Research's Kurt Kratena have created a policy briefing that analyses the distributional impact of the actions proposed by the hashtag #BirminghamCityCouncil in 2024/25 and 2025/26 to address its £300m budget deficit. It considers how different household groups are likely to be impacted by the potential policy responses to address the deficit using the SEIM-UK economic model. The briefing seeks to provide local governments with the evidence to make better policy decisions. Find out more on our addressing the local authority financial crises webpage: https://lnkd.in/eR_rRhif

New Dawn for Housing? Check out my article in @inside-housing on the government's key proposals to boost both the quantity and quality of housing in England. In summary, though there is little, if any, extra government money there are still ambitious plans to deliver new homes by making the process less difficult for both the public and private sectors. Key reforms are also promised to bolster the rights of leaseholders and private tenants. #Trowers link: https://lnkd.in/ebFzwUXE

Yesterday saw the release of the final manifesto from the larger political parties with The Reform Party releasing their "Contract". The Reform Party led by their figurehead Nigel Farage set out what they would if they won the election in just over 2 weeks. Acknowledging the housing crisis they set out the below main policies to help solve the deepening crisis ➡ Reviewing the planning system ➡ Fast Tracking planning and tax incentives for brownfield sites ➡ "Loose fit planning" policy for large resi developments with preapproved guidelines ➡ Focus on Social Housing for local people with foreign nationals 'to the back of the queue' ➡ Abolish the renters bill and scrap section 24 for Landlords The Reform Party are the only party not to have released a housing target for the parliamentary term and has rather talked about reviewing and reforming the planning system which we all know needs some major investment. Now that everyone has laid out their plans who do you think is est to get Britain building again and to solve this deepening housing crisis? Let me know below in the comments! #Election24 #HosuingCrisis