§ Dr. StoateTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what mechanism has been established to evaluate the performance of schemes supported by the fund to promote new neighbourhood warden schemes; and if he will make a statement. [140990]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe Neighbourhood Wardens' Unit will be managing the programme. The Government Offices are responsible for monitoring the performance of schemes within their region. The Neighbourhood Wardens' Unit have recently let a contract to Crime Concern and Social Development Direct. They will 785W provide independent national evaluation to all schemes that receive funding from the neighbourhood wardens' programme.
§ Dr. StoateTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce the allocation of the fund to promote new neighbourhood warden schemes in 2000–01 to 2002–03; and when new applications for funding starting in 2001–02 can be submitted. [140989]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe Neighbourhood Wardens' programme is being jointly funded by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Home Office. There is a budget of £13.5 million over three years until March 2002–03. My hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Home Department, the hon. Member for Norwich, South (Mr. Clarke), the Champion Minister, announced the results of the first tranche of bidding on 18 September. Funding totalling £7.52 million will go to 45 schemes in England and five schemes in Wales. A decision on a further 42 schemes has been deferred to allow further development of their Implementation Plans. As yet, no decision has been taken on a second bidding round.