Health Authorities (Land) (Hansard, 8 February 1985)

§ Mr. Cohen
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why nearby local residents were not consulted by Waltham Forest district health authority before it decided to lease its land opposite Leyton green for the purpose of a fair; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. John Patten
The conditions of the licence restricted the hours in which the fair could operate and required that the site would be kept clean and tidy and that the volume of generators and music would be kept low. As, additionally, the licence required the fair operator to obtain all necessary permissions from the local authority and as officers of the health authority discussed the licence with officers and councillors of the local authority, the health authority did not consider it necessary to consult local residents before granting the licence for the fairground.

§ Mr. Cohen
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what dates (a) the police and (b) the London 733W borough of Waltham Forest were informed by Waltham Forest district health authority that a fair would be operating on its land opposite Leyton green with effect from 4 February.

§ Mr. John Patten
The police were not informed of the decision to grant a licence. An initial discussion with the local authority took place on 30 January and was followed by subsequent discussions at the health authority's offices and at the site.

§ Mr. Cohen
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the decision of Waltham Forest district health authority to enter into a lease to use its land opposite Leyton green for the purpose of a fair was (a) an administrative one, (b) authorised by the chairman or (c) agreed by the health authority members board.

§ Mr. John Patten
In line with the authority's standing orders and standing financial instructions, it was an administrative decision.

§ Mr. Cohen
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will issue guidelines to health authorities not to lease or rent out their land without first consulting nearby local residents, the police and other relevant public authorities; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. John Patten
Health authorities are authorised to act on behalf of the Secretary of State in land transactions and they are responsible for ensuring that any necessary consultation is carried out. However, in the light of the case which the hon. Member has raised I will consider the need for guidelines and will write to the hon. Member in due course.