§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the grant aid to the Cotswold AONB partnership is due to be paid; and how much it will be. [118169]
§ Alun MichaelThe Countryside Agency is responsible for grants to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. I have stressed to the Agency our expectation that timely information is given to outside organisations about the level of funding they should anticipate, and that figures should be finalised before the start of a financial year. The Agency has ensured me that it recognises the importance of timely decision making and will finalise the grant for the Cotswolds AONB, and others, as a matter of urgency.