HC Deb 02 July 1997 vol 297 cc186-7W
Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to amend planning guidance to local authorities in respect of their management of town and city centres; and if he will make a statement. [5055]

Mr. Raynsford

The Government's planning guidance on town centres and retail developments, PPG6, already contains advice on town centre management; we have no current plans to amend it. The Government also provides core funding for the Association of Town Centre Management (ATCM ), which has a lead role in the promotion of town centre management. The Government has also provided financial support for three ATCM research projects, two of which I launched on 18 June. "Town Centre Partnerships: A Survey of Good Practice" (undertaken by Hillier Parker and URBED) and "Managing Urban Open Spaces" (undertaken by Chesterton's), and one on "Town Improvement Zones" (undertaken by KPMG) which will report shortly.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with local authorities and their associations, concerning the economic viability of town centres, city centres and local markets. [5056]

Mr. Raynsford

Ministers and officials have regular meetings with the local authority associations, the Association of Town Centre Management and other bodies about town and city centre issues, including their economic wellbeing. I also addressed the Association of Town Centre Management on 18 June and launched two ATCM research projects "Town Centre Partnerships: A survey of Good Practice" (undertaken by Hillier Parker and URBED) and "Managing Urban Open Spaces" (undertaken by Chesterton's), both of which received financial support from the Government.