§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will specify the feasibility studies undertaken by the north Peckham task force; how much each cost; and what was the outcome of each study.
§ Mr. NewtonSince 30 November 1988, out of a total of 95 projects approved at a cost to the task force of £2,570,113, the following were undertaken as feasibility studies:
Technobus
£6,250 was paid to South Bank polytechnic for research into the cost of setting up a bus which would deliver new technology training on local estates. The report was completed, and circulated to interested parties, but in view of the setting up and running costs (£120,000 in the first year) the task force decided not to proceed with the scheme.Peckham Industrial Association
£3,500 was paid to this organisation to look into the viability of converting disused shipping containers into low cost portable units for community use. In the light of the feasibility study the task force took no further action.Sojourner Truth Youth Association (STYA)
The task force has paid for two studies on behalf of this local black organisation. Community Land and Workspace Ltd. (CLAWS) were given £1,500 to prepare a study into the use of St. Luke's school as a multifunctional base. The results were passed to STYA to use as a basis to support their bid to Southwark council for funds to convert the school. In addition £9,941 went to First Step Associates to look at the 261W viability of a number of training proposals that STYA intend to run. Discussions with STYA are continuing with a view to developing the training aspects of the project.City Technology Centre
£13,000 was given to Science City to look into the feasibility of setting up high tech workspace units in the task force area. The report was completed and passed to the task force, and the key proposal of seedcorn investment funding was adopted by the Peckham Enterprise centre, funded by the task force.URBED
£27,370 was provided to this consultancy to develop a strategy to help reverse the decline of Rye lane as a shopping centre. The report was recently completed and the task force has provided funding to the Peckham Traders Association, one of whose key aims is to implement the URBED recommendations, working closely with the council and other bodies. In addition the task force is talking to URBED about further work.Southwark Architects
£3,000 was paid to Southwark council to prepare a report into the development of a community training facility in the Gloucester grove estate on behalf of the Gloucester Grove Tenants Association. The report has been prepared, but detailed cosings are still being awaited, before exploring possible funding avenues.Forest of London
£4,500 has been approved to this group to look into the feasibility of running a training project in arboriculture and landscaping. The task force awaits the final report.Southwark Chamber of Commerce
£1,000 was paid to this group for research into the costs and possible funding sources of setting up a tourist information centre in Southwark. Subsequently, with help from the City action team, a tourist information centre was established in north Southwark.LENTA
£27,000 was paid to LENTA to carry out a study into four sites in the Peckham area (The Spike, Melon road, the LEB sub-station, the Lomond grove business centre) with potential for use as managed workspace. Of these sites, the task force is still pursuing Melon road and the Spike in consultation with the council and other bodies; the Lomond grove centre became the Camberwell business centre under the direct control of LENTA; the task force decided not to take any further action on the LEB building.
§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for how long the north Peckham task force will be continuing with its work.
§ Mr. NewtonThe task force continues to make good progress. In common with all Government task forces it is not intended to be permanent. There are however no plans at present for its closure.
§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the budget of expenditure on local projects by the north Peckham task force in(a) 1988–89, (b) 1989–90, (c) 1990–91 and (d) 1991–92.
§ Mr. NewtonThe north Peckham task force in common with the other Government task forces does not have an individual budget. It does, however, have access to a common budget for all task forces which is £16 million for 1988–89 and has been set at £18.5 million for 1989–90. Figures for 1990–91 and 1991–92 will remain at similar levels.
§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) if he will list in respect of the north Peckham262W task force (a) the local projects supported, (b) the amount of money committed to each project and (c) the amount of committed money spent on each project;
(2) if he will state in respect of each project supported by the north Peckham task force the amount of money (a) committed and (b) spent by (i) the task force, (ii) other government sources, (iii) the London borough of Southwark, (iv) the Inner London Education Authority, (v) the Housing Corporation, (vi) English Heritage, (vii) any other public sources and (viii) any other private sources.
§ Mr. NewtonI will write to the hon. Member.
§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what were the objectives of the north Peckham task force when it was first set up; and whether those objectives have been changed during the course of its work.
§ Mr. NewtonThe main objectives, which the north Peckham task force shares with the other 16 task forces, are to
—provide more jobs for local people by identifying and removing impediments to their recruitment by local employers, and by encouraging local enterprise development.—encourage and facilitate enterprise by local people through the provision of enterprise training, financial and managerial assistance.—improve the employability of local people, including those about to enter the labour market, by training programmes aimed at specific employment opportunities or identified gaps in the labour market.—support initiatives designed to improve the environment, the provision of community services and to reduce the level of crime where these can be linked to the reintegration of local people into local economic activity.The objectives have not been changed.
§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give the names and biographical details of each member of(a) the north Peckham task force community forum and (b) the north Peckham task force community forum working party.
§ Mr. NewtonThese organisations are independent bodies which are not related to the north Peckham task force. The information requested is a matter for the organisations themselves.