HC Deb 30 June 1999 vol 334 cc219-20W
Mr. Spring

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment where detailed information is kept on the individual school playing fields sold between 1979 and 1999. [88661]

Mr. Charles Clarke

Prior to 1 October 1998, there were no restrictions, other than those that may have been imposed by the planning authorities, on the sale of school playing fields by local education authorities. The Department does not, therefore, have any information on the sale of individual school playing fields by local authorities before that date.

The Department does have information about the sale of school playing fields by grant-maintained schools from 1988 to the present.

Mr. Spring

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the school playing fields which the Government have prevented from being sold and developed(a) between 1 May 1997 and 30 September 1998 and (b) since 1 October 1998. [88663]

Mr. Charles Clarke

Since 1 May 1997, applications by the governing bodies to sell playing fields at the following grant-maintained schools have been rejected:

  • Merrill College, Derby
  • Cranbrook School, Kent
  • Lincoln Christ's Hospital School
  • The King's School, Peterborough
  • Deacon's School, Peterborough.

Before 1 October 1998, there was no control over the sale of playing fields by local authorities. The Government introduced control by bringing into force section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. Since then, all application from local authorities to sell, or change the use of school playing fields have been considered against strict criteria. So far, all the applications that have been considered have met the criteria and have, therefore, been approved. It would not be in a local authority's interest to submit an application that did not meet the criteria. What we do not know is how many local authorities have been deterred from submitting applications to sell school playing fields that, prior to 1 October 1998, they could have sold without needing consent.

Mr. Nigel Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will assess the impact on community usage of non-sport development of school sports grounds. [88743]

Mr. Charles Clarke

Before a local authority, governing body or foundation body in England may dispose, or change the use of a school playing field, they must first secure the prior consent of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. Applications for consent are considered against four criteria published in DfEE Circular 3/99, "The Protection of School Playing Fields". One of these criteria is that the playing field provision and other sports facilities to be left will meet the needs of the local community. This is in addition to any consideration of proposed development under the planning system.

Mr. Nigel Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to ensure that schools do not replace all their grass pitches with artificial surfaces. [88496]

Mr. Charles Clarke

Whether or not a maintained school's outdoor sporting provision is grass, hard surfaced or artificial surfaced is a decision best taken at local level. However, paragraph 55 of DfEE Circular 3/99 "The Protection of School Playing Fields", highlights the fact that not all types of games can be played on artificial surfaces and that a balance may need to be struck. Our Building Bulletin 85, "School Grounds: A Guide to Good Practice", provides detailed advice.

Mr. Nigel Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his Department's policy on use of school sports facilities by the community. [88744]

Mr. Charles Clarke

Individual governing bodies control the use of their school's premises but, in doing so out of school hours, the law requires them to have regard to the desirability of making their premises available to the wider community. We value community use and the "Code of Practice on LEA-School Relations", published this year, states that

schools should seek out opportunities to develop their community role".

Later this year, the Department will be issuing further guidance on community use of school facilities as part of a drive to better promote community use.