HC Deb 27 November 1995 vol 267 cc421-3W
Mr. Hardy

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many permanent jobs have been provided with the involvement of Dearne Valley partnership within the city grant area; and what is the proportion of total expenditure by the partnership which each of these jobs represents. [2380]

Sir Paul Beresford

In the three years to 31 March 1995 the Dearne Valley strategy has helped to create almost 1,100 jobs. Three of the partnership's strategic objects relate to employment creation and have involved 55 per cent. of city challenge expenditure over the same period.

Mr. Hardy

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what sums have spent in or with the involvement of the Dearne Valley partnership in each of the last three years on(a) land reclamation, (b) creation of employment, (c) administration and (d) social and community protection. [2379]

Sir Paul Beresford

The Dearne Valley partnership is responsible for overseeing the regeneration of the Dearne valley together with other public and private sector partners. The city challenge action plan has six strategic objectives.

  • SO1: To develop the local economy;
  • SO2: To diversify the local economy;
  • SO3: To improve education and skill levels;
  • SO4: To build capacity within the community;
  • SO5: To improve the physical environment;
  • SO6: To increase and improve the housing stock and its environment.

From a provisional city challenge annual allocation of £7.5 million, expenditure for which the Dearne Valley partnership is directly responsible was as follows:

£ thousands
1992–93 1993–94 1994–95
Employment creation (strategic objectives 1, 2 and 3) 4,125.2 3,984.2 2,820.1
Administration 300.0 300.0 300.0
Community development (including community safety) strategic objective 4) 634.5 708.5 797.5

Land reclamation was funded through complementary non-city challenge, derelict land grant as follows:

£ thousand
Land reclamation
1992–93 1,125.0
1993–94 3,561.0
1994–95 6,473.0

Source:

Dearne Valley Partnership

Mr. Hardy

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what sum has been expended by the Dearne Valley partnership in the fulfilment of its role in each of the last 10 years, and what is the estimated expenditure for the current year. [2381]

Sir Paul Beresford

The Dearne Valley partnership was formed in 1991. It has received city challenge funding since 1992. City challenge expenditure has been as follows:

  • 1992–93: £7.10 million
  • 1993–94: £7.15 million
  • 1994–95: £7.50 million
  • 1995–96: £8.65 million (estimate).

Mr. Hardy

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many persons are employed in either a full or a part-time capacity by or in the Dearne Valley partnership; and what has been the total cost of this employment in each in the last three years. [2378]

Sir Paul Beresford

The Dearne Valley partnership currently employs 15 full-time staff. All city challenge partnerships are required to contain their running costs within 4 per cent. of their total five-year allocation. In the case of the Dearne valley, running costs—which include the costs of 10 staff, office accommodation and equipment, transport, supplies and services, and small consultancies—have been as follows:

  • 1992–93: £300,000
  • 1993–94: £300,000
  • 1994–95: £300,000.

The remaining five staff form part of the marketing team and are funded separately within a marketing budget of:

  • 1992–93: Nil
  • 1993–94: £288,000
  • 1994–95: £458,000.

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