§ Mr. Nicholas BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance is given by his Department to North Tyneside city challenge project relating to the placing of contracts for security work; what contracts have been issued by North Tyneside city council for security work; if he will name the city challenge board members and officials who are responsible for such contracts; and how they are appointed. [21224]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordThe Department of the Environment has not given any specific guidance to North Tyneside city challenge, or any other city challenge partnership, about the placing of contracts for security work. North Tyneside city challenge has not let any such contract. The North Tyneside city challenge partnership undertakes no direct tendering or contracting relating to city challenge projects; this is the responsibility of project sponsors, who are required to achieve value for money. Where projects are assisted by city challenge funding, it is the responsibility of the contractor to assess the degree of risk and make the appropriate contractual arrangements for security.