§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are being taken to ensure that the reserve costs arising from city challenge will be discounted for capping purposes.
§ Mr. PortilloAs my right hon. Friend told the House on 23 July he intends to announce provisional capping criteria for 1992–93, having the same sort of format as the principles adopted for 1991–92, in advance of authorities' taking their budgeting decisions. That remains his firm intention.
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give an undertaking that urban programme money will continue at existing levels for the foreseeable future for those local authorities that are not city challenge winners.
§ Mr. PortilloDecisions on the level of funding for inner city programmes are taken and announced in accordance with the Government's annual consideration of public expenditure.
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what level of resources devoted to city challenge is new money; and what arrangements he has made for the funding of city challenge in the next financial year.
§ Mr. PortilloWe will make available, from within existing inner city and housing resources, £82.5 million for pacemaker city challenge schemes in 1992–93.
380W
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those authorities he intends to invite to bid for city challenge; and when he will be sending out formal invitations.
§ Mr. PortilloThis year local authorities in 15 areas were invited to bid in the city challenge competition and the following 11 authorities have been chosen to work up detailed plans for schemes starting in 1992.
- Bradford
- Dearne Valley (Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham)
- Lewisham
- Liverpool
- Manchester
- Middlesbrough
- Newcastle
- Nottingham
- Tower Hamlets
- Wirral
- Wolverhampton
On 20 July my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State confirmed that we intend to hold a further competition next year which will open to all 57 urban programme authorities. No timetable for the competition has yet been fixed.
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for those local authorities which, because of a lack of development potential, are unable to secure material private sector involvement in city challenge schemes.
§ Mr. PortilloAll of our inner cities have development potential, as has been shown by the success of urban development grant and city grant, among other programmes. City challenge offers the opportunity for local authorities to establish effective and wide ranging partnerships with the private sector and others which draw on additional resources, and local enterprise, knowledge and imagination.