§ 8. Ms Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent, North)What additional funding is available in this financial year for parks in urban areas. [133440]
§ The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr. John Prescott)The budget from which local authorities fund improvements to the local environment has been increased by £1 billion over three years in the current spending review. In addition, the sustainable communities plan set out a package of local environment measures worth £200 million over the next three years, including the liveability fund. Finally, the national lottery distributors, particularly the Heritage Lottery Fund, as 632 well as the new opportunities fund and the community fund, also provide substantial funding for parks and other green spaces.
§ Ms WalleyI welcome the work that the Government are doing to invest in parks and green spaces, and the fact that the Landscape Institute chose Stoke-on-Trent to launch the liveability policy. When my right hon. Friend considers the bids coming through from local authorities, will he examine closely the bid submitted by Stoke-on-Trent city council? Does he agree that there is an urgent case for an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for Burslem and Tunstall park?
§ The Deputy Prime MinisterThe House is well aware that my hon. Friend is a great advocate of investment in green spaces. We have received bids from many authorities for a grant from the liveability fund. The successful bids will be announced shortly, in early November.