§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the operation of the Braunstone Community Association in respect of the new deal; what the cost is of the scheme; what plans he has to inquire into the administration of the scheme; and if he will make a statement. [15779]
§ Ms KeebleI have been asked to reply.
Leicester Braunstone is one of the New Deal for Community Round 1 Pathfinders and has an overall grant of £49.5 million to spend over up to 10 years.
897WThe scheduled mid year review of the Braunstone New Deal for Communities Programme took place in Braunstone on 22 November 2001. The review considered among other things the strategic direction and delivery of the programme, including progress in delivering the Braunstone Community Association 2001–02 Action Plan, developments in partnership working and community involvement.
Proceedings, which were chaired by an official from the Government Office for the East Midlands, were conducted in a positive atmosphere. Nothing substantive arose during the review to change the status of the programme.
The next few weeks will be very important for the Braunstone New Deal for Communities Programme as the BCA awaits the findings of an independent investigation it set up to look into various allegations related to its internal relationships. That investigation is expected to report by mid-December.
In the meantime, in order to protect the public purse the Government office for the East Midlands has suspended delegated authorities to the BCA to commit expenditure. The Government office is also discussing with auditors the terms of reference for a mid-year audit of the NDC Programme (to end September), which, with evidence arising from the findings of the independent investigation, will allow the Government office what further steps it needs to take in order to secure the future of the Braunstone NDC Programme.