HC Deb 22 July 2004 vol 424 cc534-5W
Mr. Djanogly

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will list the current projects that receives funding from the Partnership Initiative Budget. [185645]

Mr. Lammy

Since its implementation in 2001, there have been two rounds of the Partnership Initiative Budget (PIB), each with a different focus, funding a total of 143 projects. Currently there are 136 projects receiving funding, 66 from round one and 70 from round two. A list of current projects with references to their lead organisation and region has been placed in the libraries of both Houses.

Mr. Djanogly

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what factors are taken into consideration when deciding how funding is allocated to projects from the Partnership Initiative Fund. [185646]

Mr. Lammy

The Partnership Initiative Budget aims to provide flexible funding within the Community Legal Service Partnership (CLSP) framework to support initiatives which will have a direct impact on individuals' access to advice and information in priority categories of law, as identified locally.

In order to receive funding project bids had to meet certain criteria. They had to: further a local/regional strategy for provision of legal advice services; be either local (involving a single CLSP, or part thereof) or regional (involving more than one CLSP); relate to priority need identified in a specific CLSP needs assessment or strategic plan; relate to priority areas identified by either (i) all CLSPs covered or (ii) if covering a Legal Services Commission (LSC region, the relevant Regional Legal Services Committee; encourage partnership working particularly between previously distinct advice providers or organisations; link with other public initiatives or add value to existing schemes or provision; either hold the LSC Quality Mark (QM) or be capable of gaining the QM within a year of the project being awareded funding; have a minimum of 25 per cent. match funding (cash and in kind—excluding unpaid staff time); ensure that a significant number of those who will ultimately benefit from a project should be financially eligible; provide value for money; be for a maximum of three years worth of funding; normally be for running costs; have an exit strategy; and demonstrate a commitment to Equal Opportunities.