§ Dr. StoateTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she is taking to improve funding arrangements for village halls; and if she will make a statement. [78435]
§ Alun MichaelCentral funding for village halls, from the recent Government and the National Lottery has increased substantially in recent years. About £10 million per year was available in the 1980s, which increased to around £50 million per year in the late 1990s, largely due to the contribution from the Millennium Fund which funded over 500 village halls and community centres to the value of nearly £100 million. That programme was specifically intended as an injection of extra funds over the millennium period and has benefited many local communities. Since the millennium the annual assistance to village halls remains three times the previous level at approximately £33 million per year now.
It must be remembered that the finances of village halls have traditionally come from local sources with come support from central government and that this Government have been active in encouraging local 713W action. While this approach has been productive the contribution of central government must not be seen as an alternative to local leadership and fund raising.
Nevertheless the Government are working with stakeholders to quantify the funding needs of village halls and how best to meet these needs. My officials met representatives of Action with Communities in Rural England and others on 22 October to discuss how available funds, from central and local government and the lottery distributors, can best support local investment in village halls and the services and facilities they provide for their local communities. I shall be meeting the National Village Halls Forum during November.