§ Mr. WyattTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what powers he has to fine Kent county council in respect of the implementation of the Swale Unified Network in the Rural Bus Challenge 1999 Fund; [139673]
(2) when Kent county council will implement the Swale Unified Network; [139672]
(3) if Kent county council accrues interest on unspent elements of the Rural Bus Challenge 1999 Fund; and if this is ringfenced. [139671]
§ Mr. HillKent county council were successful in the Rural Bus Challenge 1999 with a bid for the Swale Unified Network project. None of the Department's grant awarded to this project has yet been paid to the council, though an initial payment will shortly be due on the basis of forecast expenditure in this financial year. The question of interest on unspent grant has not therefore arisen.
Grant is available, up to the amount awarded, in respect of the costs actually incurred by the council in implementing the project as described in its successful bid. The conditions of the grant are set out in Special Grant Report No. 54, approved by Parliament in March this year. These conditions include the requirement on the authority to repay to the Department any grant received which is found after audit to have been used otherwise than provided for under the terms of the Report.
The timing of the implementation of the project, subject to the conditions in the Special Grant Report, is a matter for the council. I understand there have been some difficulties implementing the project as quickly as planned, but that it is now being taken forward.
§ Mr. WyattTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how much of the Rural Bus Challenge 1999 awarded to Kent county council has been spent to date; [139441]
(2) when Kent county council (a) applied for funding for the Rural Bus Challenge 1999 and (b) was awarded funding; and how much was awarded. [139440]
§ Mr. Hill[holding answer 21 November 2000]: Kent county council submitted its bid for the 1999 Rural Bus Challenge competition on 30 September 1999. The results of the competition were announced on 11 January 2000. Parliament approved the Special Grant Report authorising this and other Challenge awards in March. Kent was awarded £381,000 for the Swale Unified Network project.
330WI understand that the county council has had some difficulties implementing this project as quickly as planned, but that it is now being taken forward. None of the grant awarded has yet been paid to the council, though an initial payment will shortly be due on the basis of forecast expenditure for this financial year.