HC Deb 06 May 2004 vol 420 cc1775-7W
Mr. Frank Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) Sure Start centres and (b) early excellence centres have been created in Birkenhead. [166302]

Margaret Hodge

There are three Sure Start local programmes in Birkenhead-Birkenhead North, Birkenhead Central and Ferries. Five neighbourhood nurseries are being developed in Birkenhead. Of these, four are open and offering 175 Places. Two of these are linked to the Birkenhead North and Ferries programmes and are operating from temporary accommodation while the main building is completed. The fifth is due to open in the next few weeks. There are no Early Excellence Centres in Birkenhead.

Mr. Benton

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many(a) Sure Start centres and (b) Early Excellence centres have been created in Bootle; [169081]

(2) how many new nurseries have been established in Bootle since 1997. [169082]

Margaret Hodge

There are two Sure Start local programmes in Bootle constituency; Litherland Bootle and Orrell and Seaforth and Bootle. Seaforth and Bottle local programme have built a Sure Start centre in Seaforth. Litherland Bootle and Orrell have not yet created any new buildings. Sefton local authority have submitted their strategic plans for Children Centres and these two Programmes are included in these plans.

No Early Excellence Centres have been created in Bootle.

Sefton local authority are responsible for determining local need for nursery places in Bootle they maintain information on current provision. Under the Neighbourhood Nursery Scheme three nurseries were opened in Bootle constituency providing a total of 110 places. A further two nurseries are to be opened in June providing another 115 places.

Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many(a) Sure Start centres and (b) Early Excellence centres have been created in Burnley; [167919]

(2) how many new nurseries have been established in Burnley since 1997. [167920]

Margaret Hodge

No early excellence centres have been created in Burnley since 1997. There are three Sure Start Local Programmes in Burnley. The first Local programme Burnley (Daneshouse and Stoneyholme) was approved in August 2000 and has spent all of their capital funding of 1,548,000, The other two Local Programmes Duke Bar and Burnley Wood and South West Burnley were approved by the Sure Start Unit with indicative capital funding of 1,000,000 for each of the programme. Duke Bar and Burnley Wood and South West Burnley have not yet submitted their capital plan for this money. This money will support the development of new nurseries places in Burnley.

Lancashire local authority is responsible for determining the local need for nursery in Burnley. They collect information on current provision. Under the Neighbourhood Nurseries scheme 97 new nursery places have been opened in Burnley.

Lancashire counts council is currently developing plans to implement Children's Centres in the 20 per cent. most disadvantaged wards, Burnley will be included in these plans.

Mr. Hendrick

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many(a) Sure Start Centres and (b) Early Excellence Centres have been created in Preston; [168136]

(2) how many new nurseries have been established in Preston since 1997. [168133]

Margaret Hodge

No Sure Start Centres have yet been completed in Preston. There are five Sure Start local programmes in Preston. Sure Start Ribbleton has commenced work on a Sure Start Centre which is due to be completed in December 2004. Sure Start Preston West is building a Sure Start Centre as an extension to a nursery school which will be completed in August 2004. The other three programmes have yet to submit plans for the use of the majority of their capital funding.

One Early Excellence Centre has been created in Preston, based at Stoneygate Nursery School.

Lancashire county council is responsible for determining local need for nursery places in Preston and maintaining information on current provision. Under the Neighbourhood Nurseries scheme 198 new nursery places have been created in Preston in six nurseries.

Lancashire county council is currently developing plans to implement Children's Centres in the 20 per cent. most disadvantaged wards, Preston will be included in these plans.