§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the annual cost is of the Improvement and Development Agency to public funds; how many staff have been employed there in each of the last four years; and what evaluation has taken place as to its effectiveness. [72745]
§ Mr. LeslieThe Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) received 14.2 million of revenue support grant for 2002–03.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding with the ODPM the Local Government Association is required to assess the IDeA's effectiveness at intervals of no more than five years. The first review is due within the next 18 months.
The IDeA from time to time receives additional financial support to implement particular projects. For example, with support from the capital modernisation fund it has undertaken work on the preliminary stages of a platform for a national electronic electoral register. In line with other Government-funded IT projects this has been subjected to a Gateway Review process, designed to review the arrangements for leading and managing the project.
The approved number of permanent full-time staff as at 1 April for each of the last four years were as follows:
Permanent full-time staff 1999 193.5 2000 185.2 2001 204.0 2002 210.0