§ Annabelle EwingTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the award schemes in(a) 2001 and (b) 2002 promoted by the Department; what their scope was; when the relevant participating organisations are scheduled to be sent results; and whether other parties will be given notification of the results at the same time. [102050]
§ Mr. LeslieThe Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created on 29 May 2002. Since then, the Office has promoted the following awards
The Beacon Council Scheme to identify excellence in local government and enable best practice to be shared with others. Ministers award beacon status annually on the basis of a rigorous assessment and recommendations from an independent Advisory Panel. Participating authorities are informed approximately one week before the results are made public. The Beacon authorities are generally announced in April each year and all local authorities in England, and a range of other interested parties, are notified of the results at this time.608WThe Green Flag Award Scheme recognises parks and green spaces that are managed and maintained to a high standard. The Green Pennant is awarded for good standards in green spaces that are managed by community and voluntary groups. Both awards are made annually. Participants are notified in confidence in the summer to allow for preparation of the announcements at the awards ceremonies in November.The Award for Urban Renaissance for urban regeneration initiatives in England with a record of success was launched in 2002. The finalists were advised prior to the Urban Summit and the overall winner was announced at the Summit on 31 October 2002. A press notice was issued, the outcome was reported by live webcast on the Urban Summit website and brochures were distributed. The award has been renamed the Deputy Prime Minister's Award for Sustainable Communities with the intention that it will be an annual award. The scope of the award has been extended to align with "Sustainable Communities: Building for the Future" and the broader aim of the Office.The award for Outstanding Achievement in Social Housing at the Chartered Institute of Housing's National Housing Awards. The award celebrates excellence in the provision and delivery of social housing in the United Kingdom. The criteria is that the winning award should be innovative, inspirational, provide real benefits to customers and can be easily duplicated. All award winners are announced at the awards ceremony in the autumn.The award for Social Housing Provider of the Year. Building Magazine's Building Homes Quality Awards are designed to recognise and reward house building organisations from both the public and private sectors, focussing attention on the very best examples of construction and customer care best practice. All award winners are announced at the awards ceremony in the autumn.The Association for Geographic Information Annual Central Government Award for best use of geographic information. The awards are presented at the annual Association for Geographic Information (AGI) Annual General Meeting and Awards dinner which was held last year on 14 November 2002. The request for nominations is made in advance to members of the AGI and the Intra Governmental Group on Geographic Information (IGGI). The unsuccessful nominees are informed after the awards dinner and details are posted on the AGI website.