§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answers of 27 July 2000,Official Report, columns 757–67W, when the valuation of North West Development Agency freehold and leasehold assets was last undertaken. [133966]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe valuation of North West Development Agency freehold and leasehold assets was last undertaken on 31 March 2000.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions 391W if he will place in the Library the register of interests as it applies to each development agency in the United Kingdom. [133961]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe English Regional Development Agencies' (RDAs) registers of members interests are the responsibility of the RDAs themselves and are available to the public on request. As such, the Secretary of State is not in a position to place them in the Library of the House.
The Devolved Administrations are responsible for development agencies outside England (e.g. Scottish Enterprise, Welsh Development Agency).
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the names of the(a) ad hoc and (b) permanent subcommittees and subgroups of the North West Development Agency which deal with regional issues; and what is the remit of each such committee. [133964]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe Board of the North West Development Agency (NWDA) has established a number of sub committees and sub groups as follows:
Audit Committee
An Audit Committee is the only formal committee of the Board and was officially established in February 2000. The Audit Committee is authorised by the Board to investigate any activity within its duties and may obtain outside legal or other independent professional advice. Its remit is as follows:
Discuss with the auditor the nature and scope of each forthcoming audit to ensure that the auditor has the fullest co-operation of staff.Review the annual statement before submission to the Board.Discuss problems and reservations arising from the audit and any matters that the auditor may wish to discuss.Review the NWDA's statement of internal control systems prior to endorsement to the Board.Make recommendations to the Board of the NWDA.The Health Partnership
The Health Partnership, which is a sub group to the Board of the North West Development Agency was formed in July 1999. Its main purpose is to assist the North West Development Agency in carrying out its role in contributing to health objectives through its work on economic and social regeneration. The Health Partnership provides a forum in which key organisations can contribute to the pool of knowledge on health related issues so that health is fully integrated into the policies of the Agency and regarded as a cross-cutting issue in all policy and programme development.
The Rural Sub Group
The Rural Sub Group to the Board of the North West Development Agency was established in November 1999 and has the following purposes:
To provide advice and information to the Board on rural issues and to take full account of the rural dimension within the North West Development Agency's policies, strategies, action plans and programmes.392WTo ensure as far as possible that the needs of the rural population of the North West are part of the social inclusion agenda.To ensure as far as possible that the rural economy is integrated into the mainstream provision of business support services and that the contribution it makes to the regional economy is fully recognised.To ensure that rural communities receive a fair share of resources both from the North West Development Agency and from other regional funds.To monitor and evaluate the North West Development Agency's rural policies, action plans and programmes.To encourage partnerships to address rural issues and the problems of rural areas.The Social and Economic Inclusion Sub Group
The Social and Economic Inclusion Sub Group was established in August 1999 and has the following purposes:
To provide advice and information to the Board of the North West Development Agency on Social Inclusion.To strengthen the capacity of the North West Development Agency and its partners across the region to deliver social inclusion and economic development and to increase access and influence by those groups hitherto excluded from decision making.To monitor and evaluate the Agency's performance on social and economic inclusion and where appropriate offer advice on strategy and delivery.The Urban Sub Group
The Urban Sub Group was established in March 2000 and provides advice and information to the Board on urban issues and, in particular, to advise the Board on:
Matters arising from the publication of the forthcoming Urban White Paper.Matters arising from the publication of the forthcoming Housing Green Paper.The Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) Sub Group
The SRB Sub Group is a permanent advisory group to the Board which meets only at the beginning of the SRB bidding round to agree the criteria for bids and then at the submission stage to consider the bids and make recommendations on those bids to the Board of the North West Development Agency. The need for the sub group is reviewed annually.
North West Innovation and Technology Advisory Board (NWITAB)
NWITAB is a formal advisory board which was commissioned by the North West Development Agency to:
Provide strategic advice and guidance to the NWDA Board on Innovation and Technology issuesDevelop and implement the North West Innovation Strategy. (NWIS)The role of the Board is as follows:
To advise the NWDA Board, via the NWITAB Chair, on all matters relating to the development and implementation of the NWIS.To develop and maintain a regional consensus view on the NWIS and its implementation.393WTo endorse NWIS business plans, monitor progress and guide the NWIS Executive accordingly.To explore the longer term changes in the Region, nationally and globally, and advise on opportunities, threats and appropriate changes to NWIS and the implementation plan (NW Foresight Group).To co-ordinate all innovation and technology activities in the North West region.The Board consists of a wide range of representatives from the Private Sector, and representatives from the Universities Association and Government Office for the North West.
The North West Innovation Strategy was launched on 8 September 2000.
Minutes from each sub committee and sub group meeting are submitted to the NWDA Board regularly for their approval and, when appropriate, for items of ratification. The NWDA Board regularly review the appropriateness of each of the Sub Groups as well as the administrative arrangements.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answers of 27 July 2000,Official Report, columns 757–67W, what is the name of the tenant at Lakeland Business Park, Cockermouth, whose letting commenced on 20 March. [133971]
Board member Number of occasions Interest Maggie Chadwick 2 Skills Development Fund May 1999 SRB local bids June 1999 John Dunning 2 Skills Development Fund May 1999 SRB Round six bids July 2000 Felicity Goodey 1 SRB local bids June 1999 Clive Jeanes 2 Skills Development Fund May 1999 SRB Round six bids July 2000 Richard Leese 2 SRB local bids June 1999 SRB Round Five—Commonwealth Games bid November 1999 Alan Manning 1 Skills Development Fund May 1999 Dennis Mendoros 2 Skills Development Fund May 1999 SRB Round six bids July 2000 Judy Robinson 1 SRB Round six bids July 2000 Clive Jeanes also left the meeting for part of an item on the Small Business Service which was discussed at the Board meeting of the North West Development Agency in March 2000.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the scale and nature of the financial and other support provided by the North West Development Agency in the case of(a) Workington Town Centre, (b) Maryport Endowment, (c) Dovenby Hall, (d) Hills of the North, (e) Westlake Science Park, (f) Kingmoor Park, Carlisle,(g) Lillyhall Partnership, (h) Alston Foundry, (i) Cumbria Credits, (j) Guided Steps to Lifetime Learning, (k) Regeneration of Maryport Averdale, (l) Building Bridges, (m) Cleator Regeneration, (n) Cumbria Rural Regeneration and (o) Heart of Barrow. [133959]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe North West Development Agency funded the acquisition of the St. John's Precinct and Arcade at Workington Town Centre at a cost of £4.2 million. Funding support in respect of the Maryport
394W
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe name of the tenant at Lakeland Business Park, Cockermouth whose letting commenced on 20 March is North Cumbria Health Authority.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answers of 27 July 2000,Official Report, columns 757–67W, to whom the North West Development Agency is accountable on the provision of information on decisions, and estimates of efficiency gains and financial benefits that arose out of moving the location of its offices. [133962]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe North West Development Agency is accountable to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, and must provide such information as the Secretary of State may require.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answers of 27 July 2000,Official Report, columns 757–67W, if he will list those interests in relation to which members of the board of the North West Development Agency stood aside from consideration of agency business in the 12 month period used in answer. [133960]
§ Ms Beverley HughesBoard Members of the North West Development Agency declared an interest and stood aside (left the Board room) from consideration of North West Development Agency Board business on 13 occasions, for the following reasons:
Endowment, Dovenby Hall, Hills of the North, Westlakes Science Park, Kingmoor Park, Carlisle, Lillyhall Partnership and Alston Foundry was provided by English Partnerships prior to the establishment of the North West Development Agency. Financial assistance towards Cumbria Credits, Guided Steps to Lifetime Learning, Regeneration of Maryport Averdale, Building Bridges, Cleator Regeneration, Cumbria Rural Regeneration and Heart of Barrow was provided by Government Office for the North West under the Single Regeneration Budget programme prior to the establishment of the North West Development Agency. The North West Development Agency has now been given responsibility for the continuing management of English Partnerships and Single Regeneration Budget schemes in Cumbria.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many square feet are available under the terms of the lease being negotiated by North West Development Agency for occupation at Penrith. [133969]
395W
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe net lettable area being negotiated by the North West Development Agency for occupation at Penrith is 4,950 sq ft.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what purposes the Chief Executive of the North West Development Agency visited Copeland and Allendale in the last 12 months. [133968]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe purpose of the visit made by the Chief Executive of the NWDA to the Copeland and Allerdale areas in the last 12 months was to attend a meeting in Cockermouth with the Chief Executives of Allerdale borough council and Groundwork to discuss a feasibility study for the reclamation/redevelopment of Broughton Moor.
The Chief Executive of the NWDA also visited:
The Cumberland Pencil Factory in Keswick to discuss potential support to help keep the company in the town;A site in Backbarrow, where the Agency was offering support to a potential inward investor through the Partnership Investment Programme; andThe Chief Executive of Cumbria Tourist Board to discuss various aspects of Tourism in Cumbria.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what office accommodation is available to the North West Development Agency and at what cost at Lillyhall, Workington. [133967]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe North West Development Agency is committed to building a managed workspace scheme at Lillyhall in 2001 as its contribution to the Lillyhall Partnership. Approximately 1,000 sq ft of the accommodation will be occupied by its Estate Management Staff. Design work has only just commenced but the cost of the building is projected to be in the region of £55 per sq ft gross (£35 per sq ft net of ERDF recovery).
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what indication he has received of the cost per square foot of office space being negotiated by North West Development Agency for occupation at Penrith. [133970]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe indicated office rent at Penrith is £12/sq ft.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations were made by the North West Development Agency to the DTI on the reductions in percentage levels of regional assistance payable in West Cumbria. [133965]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe North West Development Agency made strong representations on the case for West Cumbria, drawing on the Regional Strategy for the North West. The representations were considered by the DTI in developing a case to put to the EU Commission.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the names of the consultancies employed by the North West Development Agency over the last 12 months. [133963]
396W
§ Ms Beverley HughesOver the last 12 months the North West Development Agency used the following consultancy services:
- Eversheds
- KPMG Management Consulting
- Segal Quince Wickstead Ltd.
- DTZ Pieda Consulting
- PricewaterhouseCoopers
- Addleshaw Booth & Co.
- Asian Pacific Research Ltd.
- T. Gill Consultancy
- John Glester Consultancy Services
- GVA Grimley
- Cogent Strategies International Ltd.
- Platt & Fishwick
- Jill Berry
- University of Salford
- Dibb Lupton Alsop
- Amitek UK Ltd.
- Hay Management Consultants
- HFT Gough & Co.
- A. Scott
- J. P. Clarke
- MSL Search and Selection
- Strategem Ltd.
- Gary Gould
- King Sturge & Co.
- Angle Technology Ltd.
- Turner & Townsend
- John Jones
- George Bowness
- The North West Business Leadership
- Sustainability North West
- Dunlop Heywood & Co. Ltd.
- Carigiet Cowen
- John Diggle
- Wigan MBC
- Cumbria Tourist Board
- Roger Tym & Partners
- Manchester Innovation Ltd.
- Business and Market Research
- Colin McGrath
- STMP Marketing Solutions Ltd.
- Lambert Smith Hampton
- Armstrong Watson & Co.
- Povall Flood & Wilson
- Gibson Thorpe Associates
- Todd & Ledson
- Business Interiors Group
- Plunkett Foundation
- Hammond Suddards
- The Change People
- Baker Associates
- Enterprise 2000 Solutions plc
- TSK Workplace Ltd.
- Harry Wilson
- Craig Associates
- Onesource Information Services
- Moody & Stanley
- Grantley Lowe Associates
397W - Jim Sherlock
- P. S. Hill & Co.
- Nimtech Malaysia
- Intuition Training & Consultancy Ltd.
- Pauline Soulsby
- Stainforth Public Relations
- B&I Artingstoll
- Ashley Helme Associates Ltd.
- Status (GB) Ltd.
- W. M. Law & Son
- Hayward Associates
- Environmental Advice Centre Ltd.
- Ann Fairclough Association
- The Duckworth Group.