§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the cost has been to the North West Development Agency of consultancy work allocated to outside bodies in the last 12 months. [132039]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe total cost for consultancy work allocated to outside bodies during the financial year 1999–2000 was £1,946,000.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that the annual report of the North West Development Agency includes in future information which has been sought by hon. Members on the operations of the North West Development Agency. [132043]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThere are no plans to change the requirements for Regional Development Agencies to publish reports and accounts on the breadth of activities during the year. The North West Development Agency's annual report and accounts for 1999–2000 have now been certified by the National Audit Office and will be laid before the House today. If there are questions that my hon. Friend feels are unanswered by the report he can address them to the Agency or the Secretary of State.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the cost of printing publications from the North West Development Agency was in the last 12 months. [131545]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe cost of printing publications for the North West Development Agency in the financial year 1999–2000 was £135,000.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many board meetings of the North West Development Agency were attended by each member of the North West Development Agency in the last 12 months. [131547]
§ Ms Beverley HughesDuring the period June 1999 to July 2000 12 Board meetings of the North West Development Agency took place. The number of attendances by individual board members at board meetings were:
- Maggie Chadwick—10
- Councillor Mike Doyle—11
- John Dunning—12
- Felicity Goodey—10
- Clive Jeanes, OBE—10
- Councillor Richard Leese—10
- Alan Manning—12
- Dennis Mendoros—12
- Kath Reade—11
- Councillor Dr. Fred Ridley—11
- Judy Robinson—11
- James Ross—9
- Lord Thomas of Macclesfield—10.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to whom the North West Development Agency is accountable. [131549]
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§ Ms Beverley HughesRegional Development Agencies are accountable to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for all their delegated functions. Regional accountability is outlined in section 18 of the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the cost of running the North West Development Agency was in its last financial year; and if he will estimate the cost for the Agency's current financial year. [131551]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe cost of running the North West Development Agency in the financial year 1999–2000 was £13,524,400, and the estimated cost for the current year is £13,771,000.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made on moving North West Development Agency facilities from Cockermouth to Penrith. [131553]
§ Ms Beverley HughesLease negotiations with the proposed developer of the new premises at Penrith are expected to be concluded shortly with an anticipated availability for occupation early in the new year.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the last negotiated rental charge per foot secured on premises on the North West Development Agency English Partnership estate at Homewood in Cockermouth. [131555]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe last negotiated letting at the Lakeland Business Park was secured at a principal rental of £7.11 per square foot plus a service charge/ maintenance rent of £1.57 per square foot. This letting commenced on 20 March 2000 and was in respect of premises of 817 square feet.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions in the last 12 months members of the Board of the North West Development Agency have stood aside from consideration of North West Development Agency Board business due to conflict of interest. [132041]
§ Ms Beverley HughesBoard Members of the North West Development Agency declared an interest and stood aside (left the boardroom) from consideration of North West Development Agency Board business on 9 occasions in the last 12 months:
- Maggie Chadwick—2
- John Dunning—2
- Clive Jeanes—2
- Alan Manning—1
- Dennis Medoros—2
- Felecity Goodey—1
- Richard Leese—2
- Judy Robinson—1.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what 759W projects the North West Development Agency is supporting in Cumbria where the total project cost exceeds £3 million. [132045]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe North West Development Agency is supporting in Cumbria the following projects whose costs exceed £3 million.
Development work:
- Workington Town Centre
- Maryport Endowment
- Dovenby Hall, Allerton
- Hills of the North, Eden
- Westlakes Science Park
- Kingmoor Park, Carlisle
- Lillyhall Partnership
- Alston Foundry
SRB projects:
Heart of Barrow—a five year regeneration project in which capital projects designed to maximise retail investment in the town centre are linked to programmes of business and community support.Cumbria Credits—Adult Education and Training scheme, which uses advanced information technology to overcome distance and physical barriers.Guided steps to lifetime learning—a five year scheme to provide careers and employment guidance and counselling to adults countywide.Regeneration of Maryport, Allerdale—a five year scheme to tackle the decline of the town by upgrading retail space in the town centre and renovating and creating new housing.Barrow-Building Bridges—a six year scheme targeting five of the most disadvantaged wards in Barrow.Cleator Moor Regeneration—A six year scheme which aims to provide support for new and existing businesses, develop tourism and community infrastructure.Cumbria Rural Regeneration—A six year scheme, which aims to break down local resistance to tourism employment through improved training and skills.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the value of assets held by the North West Development Agency is by(a) freehold and (b) leasehold, indicating the locations. [131557]
§ Ms Beverley Hughes(a) The valuation of freehold investment assets on 31 March 2000 was £91.7 million.
(b) The valuation of leasehold investment assets on 31 March 2000 was £316,000.
The following is a list of both freehold and leasehold (long and short term leases) belonging to the NWDA:
- Taylors Lane, Pilling
- Clayhill Industrial Park, Neston
- Prestwich Industrial Estate, Manchester
- Parr Industrial Estate, St. Helens
- Lamberhead Industrial Estate, Wigan
- Wilson Road Industrial Estate, Huyton
- Love Lane (Tate and Lyle's) Liverpool
- Mercury Court, Liverpool
- Knowsley Industrial Park South, Liverpool
- Lea Green Industrial Estate, St. Helens
- Speke Hall Industrial Estate, Speke
- Gillmoss Industrial Estate, Gillmoss
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- Martland Mill Industrial Estate, Wigan
- Farrier Way Industrial Estate, Netherton
- Pilsworth Road Industrial Estate, Bury
- Croft Business Park, Bromborough
- St. Michaels Industrial Esate, Widness
- Sandon House, Liverpool
- West Float Industrial Estate, Wallasey
- Wavertree Tech Park, Liverpool
- Bolton Technology Exchange, Bolton
- Salford University Business Park, Manchester
- Hampton Heath Industrial Estate, Hampton Heath
- Skypark, Speke
- St. Chad's Court Rochdale
- Willow Mill, Caton
- St. Helens Technology Campus, St. Helens
- Greenheys Business Centre, Manchester
- Altham Business Park, Altham
- Greenbank Industrial Estate, Blackburn
- Rossmore Road, Ellesmere Port
- Wingates South Industrial Park, Bolton
- Sefton Business Park, Liverpool
- Classic Couverture, The Estuary Business Park
- Glacier Building, Brunswick Business Park
- CMDC Residual portfolio
- Hooton Business Park
- Monsall Hospital
- Martland Park, Wigan
- Ancoats Urban Village, Manchester
- Kingsway, Rochdale
- Twelve Quays, Birkenhead
- Austin Trading Estate, Knowsley
- Portland Basin
- Estuary Commerce Park, Speke
- Edwards Lane, Speke
- Boulevard Industry Park, Speke
- Bickershaw Colliery, Leigh
- Agecroft Colliery, Salford
- Cronton Colliery, Cronton
- Lea Green, St. Helens
- Ashton Fields, Walkden
- Kings Court/HQ Warrington
- Giants Basin, Manchester
- Winckley Street, Preston
- Penrith 40 Business Park
- Muirhhead House, Warrington
- Solway Estate, Maryport
- Leconfield Estate, Cleator Moor
- Cleator Mills Estate, Cleator
- Lillyhall Estate (East), Workington
- Devonshire Road, Millom
- Lillyhall Estate (West), Workington
- Western Bank Estate, Wigton
- Townfoot Estate, Brampton
- Brough Industrial Estate, Brough
- The Sidings, Tebay
- Crosscroft Estate, Appleby
- Maryport Harbour
- Clay Flatts Estate, Workington
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- Lakes Road, Coniston
- George Moore Estate, Fletchertown
- Lakeland Business Park, Cockermouth
- Bridge End Estate, Egremont
- Sneckyeat Road, Whitehaven
- Cross Lane Industrial Estate, Ulverston
- Daltongate Business Centre, Ulverston
- St. Helens Business Park, Workington
- Station yard, Coniston
- Derwent Mills Commercial Park, Cockermouth
- Moor Lane Estate, Flookburgh
- Whitehaven Commercial Park, Moresby Parks
- Furness Business Park, Barrow in Furness
- Skelgillside Workshops, Nenthead, Alston
- The Old Brewery, Craw Hall, Brampton
- Kirkby Thore Industrial Estate
- Borders Business Park, Longtown
- Cross Lane Workshops, Seascale
- Station Road Industrial Estate, Silloth
- Workington Town Centre, St. Johns Precinct
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which organisations in Copeland and Allerdale were visited by which Members of the Board of the North West Development Agency in the last 12 months. [131559]
§ Ms Beverley HughesAlan Manning attended three meetings of the TUC's Cumbria Forum held in Keswick as an RDA Board member.
Maggie Chadwick visited:
- West Cumbria College twice;
- Cumbria TEC HQ events in Keswick, Wigton and Cockermouth:
- Meeting representatives of local authorities (Allerdale and Copeland) and West Cumbria Partnership;
- The Cumbria Assembly (Policy Group),
- Non-local authority group to meet residents of Allerdale and Copeland.
John Dunning visited the area several times during the past 12 months. I will write to my hon. Friend with the further information on his visits and place a copy of my letter in the Library.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements have been made for the redeployment of staff from the offices of the North West Development Agency English Partnership at Homewood, Cockermouth to Penrith. [131556]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe number of staff currently employed at the North West Development Agency's office at Cockermouth is 12.
Of these, it is currently expected that eight will transfer to the North West Development Agency's office at Penrith, with four to remain in West Cumbria, probably at Lillyhall, to manage the predominantly West Cumbrian based estate.
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§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions who owns the title to property(a) owned, (b) held on leasehold and (c) rented by the North West Development Agency. [131558]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe information is as follows
(a) OwnedThe North West Development Agency (as a body corporate) can itself hold freehold land.(b) Held on leaseholdKings Court. Warrington—owned by Burford Investments Ltd.Muirfield House, Birchwood, Warrington—owned by Wellcome Trust Ltd.Penrith—owned by F W Allen(c) RentedNone.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions in the last 12 months the Chief Executive of the North West Development Agency has visited(a) Copeland and (b) Allerdale. [131560]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe Chief Executive visited the Copeland and Allerdale areas on one occasion in the last 12 months.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his latest estimate is of efficiency gains and financial benefits that arise out of moving the North West Development Agency English partnership offices from Homewood, Cockermouth to Penrith. [131539]
§ Ms Beverley HughesDecisions on location are a matter for the North West Development Agency.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what visits were made by which(a) officers and (b) board members of the North West Development Agency to countries overseas in the last 12 months. [131543]
§ Ms Beverley Hughes(a) The following officers of the North West Development Agency visited overseas in the past 12 months.
- Chris Koral—Chicago
- Ian Cordon—Copenhagan
- Nigel Wilcock—Paris
- Nigel Wilcock—Brussels
- Nigel Wilcock—Hanover
- Klaus Gruell—Brussels
- Klaus Gruell—Munich/Dijsseldorf
- Martin Toomey—Vienna
- Martin Toomey—Osaka
- Anne Samson—Verona
- Rae Brooke—Chicago/Boston/New York
- John Kelly—Brussels
- Paul Ferguson—Brussels
- Peter White—Amsterdam
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- Sue Adams—Chicago
- Bill Skilkie—Boston
- I. B. Vine—Madrid
- Lynne Taylor—Brussels
- Lynne Taylor—Stuttgart
- Margaret Carr—Helsinki
- Baron Isherwood—Warsaw
- John Cunliff—Boston/Chicago
- Robert Lane—Boston
- Simon Parker—Boston
- Ian Lawrence—Boston
- Linda Magee—Boston
- John Burrows—Germany
(b) The following board members of the North West Development Agency made visits overseas in the past 12 months:
- Kath Reade—Verona
- Kath Reade—Helsinki
- Mike Doyle—Brussels
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the cost was to the North West Development Agency of visits overseas by its officers and members in the last 12 months. [131544]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe cost to the North West Development Agency for overseas visits during the financial year 1999–2000 was £36,314.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultancy work has been allocated to outside bodies by the North West Development Agency over the last 12 months by project. [132040]
§ Ms Beverley HughesConsultancy costs for the last 12 months—1 July 1999 to 30 June 2000—are as follows:
Projects £ 000 Land and property Site Plan Studies 70 Workington Town Centre 147 Other Land and Property 202 Legal Other Land and Property Programme 79 Estates (Letting) 68 Other Legal 52 IT 34 Accountancy Internal Audit and Procedures 23
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Payments to Board Members 1999–2000 £ Name April May June July August September M. Chadwick — — — 885.30 — — M. Doyle — — — 350.80 — 169.20 J. Dunning — — 1,122.85 — — 894.00 F. Goodey — — — — — — C.Jeanes 15.00 80.00 — 160.50 — — R. Leese — — — — — — A. Manning — 111.40 — — — — D. Mendoros — — — — — —
Projects £ 000 Fixed Asset System 15 ERDF Audits/Bids 15 Opening Balance Sheet 9 Daresbury Econ Impact 8 Taxation 10 General Financial Advice 75 Estates Building Surveys 15 Health and Safety Audit 10 Other estates related 15 Strategy 182 NW Business Leadership 107 Accommodation Warrington office 28 Manchester office planning 7 Preston office planning 3 Other office planning 41 Skills Development Fund Support 78 Competitiveness Development Fund 117 Corporate Identity 16 Marketing Inward 53 Marketing RSO 18 Other Marketing 41 Debt Collection 18 Valuation 15 Human Resources Evaluation/Planning 74 Total 1,645
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what occasions in the last 12 months the Board or officers of the North West Development Agency have considered matters which relate to the commercial activities of individual members of the Board of the North West Development Agency. [132044]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe North West Development Agency have not considered any matters which relate to the commercial activities of individual members of the Board of the North West Development Agency.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what expenses were paid to each member of the Board of the North West Development Agency in each of the last 12 months. [131546]
§ Ms Beverley HughesExpenses paid to North West Development Agency Board Members in financial year 1999–2000 are set out in the analysis.
The amounts are commensurate with the distance Board Members travel and their participation in other Agency 23 related activities such as Sub Groups and Conferences.
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Payments to Board Members 1999–2000 £ Name April May June July August September K. Reade — — — 472.50 — — F. Ridley — 90.05 — 114.35 — — J. Robinson 147.70 — 68.75 — — — J. Ross — — — — — — Lord T. Thomas — 984.65 1,889.13 151.00 — — Total 162.70 1,266.10 3,080.73 2,134.45 — 1,063.20
£ Name October November December January February March Total M. Chadwick — — — 637.29 — — 1,522.59 M. Doyle 347.20 — 176.55 — 144.00 68.85 1,256.60 J. Dunning 269.08 — 215.14 — 249.55 297.52 3,048.14 F. Goodey — — — — — — — C. Jeanes 175.00 — 90.00 — 129.00 155.90 805.40 R. Leese — — — — — — — A. Manning 563.35 — — — 100.55 — 775.30 D. Mendoros 1,366.98 — — — — 913.94 2,280.92 K. Reade — 607.95 — — 256.50 — 1,336.95 F. Ridley 92.25 — — — — 104.80 401.45 J. Robinson 107.05 127.95 — — — 178.74 630.19 J. Ross — — — — — — — Lord T. Thomas — — — — 668.71 — 3,693.49 Total 2,920.91 735.90 481.69 637.29 1,648.31 1,719.75 15,751.03
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements are in place to secure accountability by the North West Development Agency to the North West Regional Assembly. [131548]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe North West Development Agency is not accountable to the North West Regional Assembly. However, the Assembly is designated as a Regional Chamber under the provision of the regional Development Agencies Act 1998 which requires the NWDA to consult the Assembly in the exercise of its functions and to have due regard to any views expressed by the Assembly. The NWDA has also entered into a Concordat with the Assembly and the Government Office for the North West, which refers to the Assembly's role in scrutinising the NWDA's Corporate Plan and monitoring its activity. The role is facilitated through twice yearly meetings between the NWDA and the Assembly at member level, regular meetings at officer level and the NWDA formally consults the Assembly on its Corporate Plan and other key documents.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the cost of the North West Development Agency was in each quarter since the agency was formed. [131550]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe cost of running the North West Development Agency in the financial year 1999–2000 was as follows:
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- Quarter 1—£2,425,000
- Quarter 2—£3,249,000
- Quarter 3—£3,553.000
- Quarter 4—£4.297,000
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many persons it is proposed will be based as employees at the North West Development Agency premises at Penrith. [131552]
§ Ms Beverley HughesIt is expected that 15 staff of the North West Development Agency will be based at the agency's office in Penrith with "hot desk" provision for two or three others to work there when necessary.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to reverse the decision to consolidate North West Development Agency office premises in Penrith. [131554]
§ Ms Beverley HughesMy right hon. Friend has no such plans. Location of office premises is a matter for the North West Development Agency to decide.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the current arrangements are for the registration and declaration of interests by members of the Board of the North West Development Agency. [132042]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe Chairman and other Board Members of the North West Development Agency are required to declare any personal or business interests that may conflict with their responsibilities as Board Members and to make and maintain a public register of such interests.
The Register of Interests is available for public inspection at the Head Office of the North West Development Agency in Warrington. Significant interests are also shown in the North West Development Agency's Annual Report.
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§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what issues the North West Development Agency officials expect to be consulted by DTI officials in relation to economic and industrial development in the North West Region. [132046]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe Department of Trade and Industry is now consulting the North West Development Agency on all key programmes which relate to economic industrial development, particularly where they relate to the implementation of the Regional Strategy. Some current examples are:
- Cluster development
- Regional Centres of Manufacturing Excellence
- The development of the Small Business Service
- The Regional Innovation Strategy.
DTI also regularly consults with the North West Development Agency on inward investment activities and on major Regional Selective Assistance cases.