§ 10. Mr. Matthew BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has received concerning the urban partnership fund.
§ Mr. RedwoodI have received several representations about the urban partnership fund. Many have welcomed the £20 million of Government cash, which the partnerships forecast will bring in another £33 million of local authority receipts and £130 million of private investment.
§ Mr. BanksI thank my hon. Friend for listening to and acting on representations from my constituency in Southport, which resulted in an urban partnership fund grant of £310,000 for the redevelopment of Southport sea front. Will my hon. Friend give me an assurance today that he will find time later this year to visit Southport to ensure that the local authority spends the money as it was intended? Does he agree with me that the urban partnership fund is an outstanding success?
§ Mr. RedwoodOf course I agree that it is a great success. It is an example of partnership in action. It encourages local authorities to raise more money by asset sales and to use the money for the benefit of their local community. If I can fit in a visit, I should love to visit Southport. The Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Hornchurch (Mr. Squire) was in my hon. Friend's constituency only yesterday. I should love to come and see the good work. I am sure that Southport sea front will benefit a great deal and will produce another £9 million of private investment for that £310,000 Government grant.