§ Mr. PearsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance has been issued by his Department to the urban development corporations to ensure that the regeneration statements prepared for urban development areas are consistent with local development plans and other strategic plans agreed by local authorities which have a bearing on urban regeneration. [26015]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordNone. It is for each urban development corporation to consider the most appropriate means of regenerating its area, in the light of its knowledge of local needs and conditions. In doing so, it will naturally wish to have regard to any local authority plans which may impact upon the urban development area.
§ Mr. PearsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what legal obligations exist to ensure that urban development corporations consult local authorities and other public bodies about(a) regeneration statements and (b) other exit strategies. [26017]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordNone. However, my Department encourages all urban development corporations to consult local authorities and other interested parties about both their regeneration statements and their exit strategies.
§ Mr. PearsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what priority will be given for English Partnerships investment in urban development areas which contain areas of dereliction and contamination following designation. [26016]
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§ Sir Paul BeresfordEnglish Partnerships has been invited by several urban development corporations to become actively involved in the succession arrangements for the areas. The agency will consider taking on responsibility for the regeneration of sites within the UDC areas where the reclamation and redevelopment of those sites fits the agency's strategic objectives and priorities. The reclamation of derelict land continues to be one of English Partnerships' key objectives and high priority is given to the regeneration of sites that are contaminated.
§ Mr. PearsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the estimated outstanding financial liabilities incurred by each of the urban development corporations in respect of(a) property and land which cannot be sold for a positive price in its present condition, (b) public open space and infrastructure, (c) rental guarantees, grant or compensation liabilities, and (d) staff and member liabilities, including redundancy, pension entitlements and terminal bonuses; and if he will list the provisions made within each urban development corporation budget in the financial years 1996–97 and 1997–98 to cover these liabilities. [26014]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordInformation in this form is not held by my Department. Each urban development corporation has been asked to provide details of all its remaining liabilities as part of this year's corporate plan round. However, the estimated cost of settling particular liabilities is commercially sensitive, since negotiations with potential successor bodies are still taking place. Corporations are expected to meet the cost of settling liabilities from within the resources available to them from grant in aid and receipts.