§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was his Department's expenditure on Local Agenda 21 projects for each year since 1992; what plans he has for expenditure in the current year; and what monitoring his Department undertakes of Local Agenda 21 initiatives. [45385]
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§ Angela EagleThe Government's main role in the Local Agenda 21 process is to provide advice and encouragement to local authorities. In this capacity, DETR is a member of the Local Agenda 21 Steering Group that manages the project. The Department also co-funds the'Local Agenda 21 Case Study Projects' in partnership with the Local Government Management Board (LGMB). The Case Studies aim to identify and disseminate examples of best practice by Local Agenda 21 Groups.
Regionally, DETR has supported a range of projects, events and seminars to promote Local Agenda 21, through Government Offices. The approximate expenditure from 1995 to the present is as follows:
- 1995–96: £3,429
- 1996–97: £14,178
- 1997–98: £56,371
This year's events have been arranged in partnership with the Local Government Association (LGA) and the LGMB. The projected expenditure for 1998–99 is estimated to be £55,000.
Since 1991 the Environment Action fund has supported a range of local environmental projects. It is not possible to identify specific sums within that amount which have been devoted to Local Agenda 21, as opposed to wider Agenda 21 work. I am sending my hon. Friend a list of projects supported in 1997–98 which had a clear Local Agenda 21 focus.
We have been working closely with the LGA and LGMB to encourage all local authorities in England to produce and review their Local Agenda 21 strategies by 2000 to meet the Prime Minister's target. In July this year the LGMB will be publishing the results of the new survey of local authorities which will indicate how many have now published Local Agenda 21 strategies. We believe it is right for local Government rather than central Government to take the lead in monitoring the production of such strategies and encouraging the sharing of good practice.