§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what additional resources will be made available to increase the capacity of former coalfield communities to develop projects and bid for funds under the coalfield regeneration programme administered through English Partnerships; [83911]
(2) what the criteria are by which coalfield regeneration funding will be applied to coalfield communities adjacent to a designated site. [83910]
§ Mr. McNultyThe National Coalfield Programme, managed by English Partnerships, has an agreed budget of £385m to remediate up 98 coalfield sites and to bring positive change by encouraging new business and job creation. The programme also creates public open space, as well as leisure and social facilities.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has agreed new flexibility within the programme allowing English Partnerships to invest in projects outside of the immediate site boundaries where this approach offers greater benefit to that coalfield community. In these cases basic remediation of the programme site will still be carried out.
There is no system of bidding for projects under the programme. However, English Partnerships work closely with other stakeholders including local authorities, regional development agencies, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and community groups in formulating proposals under the flexibility agreement.
Projects to enhance community capacity are supported separately by the coalfield regeneration trust, including the recent appointment of a second midlands regeneration manager to help develop the capacity of community groups.