§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list each grant or fund not referrable to a local authority or to a travel-to-work area that exists to assist private sector interests in respect of urban regeneration schemes;
(2) if he will list each grant or fund not referrable to a local authority or to a travel-to-work area that exists to assist private sector interests in respect of urban regeneration schemes;
(3) if he will list each fund available to an urban programme authority for urban regeneration from 1993 onwards excluding city challenge and any funds due to be dealt with by the urban regeneration agency;
(4) if he will list each fund available to a non-urban programme authority for urban regeneration from 1993 onwards excluding city challenge and any funds due to be dealt with by the urban regeneration agency.
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe Government provide valuable support to the private sector through a wide range of programmes, including those of the Department of Trade and Industry, Employment Department and the Department of the Environment. Under my Department's urban group of programmes, the private sector receives specific help towards urban regeneration through the urban development corporations, city grant and private sector derelict land grant. This is in addition to assistance available through other urban group programmes such as city challenge, urban programme, task forces and city action teams.
§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list each fund available to(a) a non-urban programme authority and (b) an urban programme authority for urban regeneration at present; where the rules, criteria, application details and other background papers for each fund may be found; and if he will list each fund available from 1993, in each case, together with any funds to be dealt with by the urban regeneration agency.
§ Mr. Robin SquireMy Department's urban group of programmes are targeted mainly on the 57 urban priority areas except derelict land grant and the special grants programme which also operate outside those areas. Programmes currently operating and continuing in 1993 are:
Programme
- City challenge1
- Urban programme1
- City grants1
- Derelict land grant1 2
- UDCs3
- Task forces
- City action teams
- Special grants programme
1Programmes operated through local authorities.
2Both programmes to be transferred to the Urban Regeneration Agency.
3Trafford Park UDC covers a small area outside the UPA.
76WIn addition, my Department's housing programmes, including housing renewal and estate action, also contribute to urban regeneration.
Further details of these and other programmes, including the relevant criteria, are in my Department's 1993 annual report. Relevant programme guidance is available on request from my Department.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to appoint the chief executive of the urban regeneration agency; and if he will make a statement on progress made in making the appointment.
§ Mr. Robin SquireIn accordance with the provisions of the Housing and Urban Development Bill, and subject to its enactment, the chief executive will be appointed by the agency when established. In consultation with Lord Walker, my Department advertised the post in February with a closing date for applications of 12 March. Lord Walker will play a leading role in the selection process.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations he has received(a) in favour of and (b) against the appointment of democratically elected representatives from local government to the board of the urban regeneration agency.
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe Department received more than 300 responses to the consultation paper on the urban regeneration agency which was issued in July 1992. Of these, 32 stated that at least one of the members of the agency's board should represent local government. There were no responses specifically opposed to the appointment of local authority representatives.