§ Jean CorstonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Bristol, East constituency, the effects on Bristol of her Department's policies and actions(a) from 5 May 1994 to 2 May 1997, (b) from 2 May 1997 to 7 May 1998, and (c) since 7 May 1998. [35596]
§ Alan JohnsonThe South West of England Regional Development Agency (SW RDA), is applying a considerable proportion of its resources to help improve the physical, social and environmental conditions of the Bristol, East constituency. The Agency works in partnership with Bristol city council and Barton Hill Community at Heart (New Deal for Communities) to identify, prioritise and manage its activities. The first year of operation was 1999–2000. Since then the agency, through either its own or inherited projects, has invested some £22.7 million in nine projects, which range from small community development buildings, through environmental improvement schemes, to Temple Quay—a major inner-city mixed-use development scheme. Seven additional future projects are at feasibility stage which are likely to attract agency investment of c. £10 million.
The nine projects are:
- Sofa 2000: £284,000
- Bristol Foyer: £505,000
- 110–116 Cheltenham Road: £446,000
- Temple Quay Core: £21,000,000
- Black Development Agency: £101,000
- St. Agnes Parl Lodge: £101,000
- Kuumba project: £101,500
- NCN Route 3, Avon Valley: £127,000
- Dings Park: £25,000.
Business Link West and the Small Business Service continue to support business start up and development of existing businesses. The national Phoenix Fund, designed to encourage entrepreneurship in disadvantaged areas and launched in 1999, has made awards to two schemes in Bristol, East: the Bristol Area Community Enterprise Network (BACEN) and Bristol East Side Traders.
Five wards in Bristol (Ashley, Easton, Lawrence Hill, Windmill Hill and Filwood) will benefit from the South West of England Objective 2 programme, launched on 13 March 2001, with total European funding of 529W £118 million. The approved projects to date include £1.9 million European funding for Bristol Means Business, led by Business Link West.
In November 2000 Brunel Training Group Ltd. based in St. George, participated in a Trade Partners UK sponsored Trade Mission to the Caribbean, organised by Business Link West and Bristol Chamber of Commerce. Prior to that visit the company commissioned a Tailored Market Information Report from the British High Commission in Barbados. As a direct result of that report and following their visit the company has started to train managers and customer care workers in Barbados. The company has plans to run the course on 11 West Indies islands. Barbados Government Ministers were among the first delegates at the first course.