§ Bob RussellTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what financial assistance will be given to local authorities for the remaining two months of the current financial year to establish permanent sites for travellers; what plans he has to continue such financial provision in the next financial year; and if he will make a statement. [93108]
§ Mr. McNultyThe gipsy sites refurbishment grant is a three-year programme announced in July 2000 by my right hon. Friend the Member for Greenwich and Woolwich (Mr. Raynsford) (the then Minister of Housing). As part of the Spending Review 2000, that £17 million grant was to be made available to local authorities for the refurbishment of authorised gipsy sites over the three year period 2001 to 2004.
The grant funding is approved and allocated annually for works to be carried out throughout the financial year. A total of £8.112 million was approved for the 2002–03 round of the gipsy site refurbishment grant. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will pay a maximum of 75 per cent. of the total approved costs.
Applications for the 2003–04 round of the have were submitted on the 13 January 2003 and is now being assessed. Results are expected in mid March 2003.