HL Deb 15 December 2004 vol 667 cc92-3WA
Lord Berkeley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the members of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment and its advisers have professional connections with the architectural and property development industries; if so, what are those connections; and whether individuals with any such connections: (a) declare them; and (b) take no part in any discussion on projects in which there might be a perceived conflict of interest. [HL290]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Lord McIntosh of Haringey)

In setting up the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) recognised that for it to be a credible organisation with the professions, CABE needed to include active representatives from a number of relevant fields. Therefore commissioners and their advisers have professional connections with the architectural and property development industries.

The Cabinet Office's Guidance on Codes of Practice for Board Members of Public Bodies (October 2004) states that board members of non-departmental publlic bodies should declare any personal or business interests which may conflict with their responsibilities as a board member. Interests should be declared in a register of interests, which should be open to the public. In addition, members of public bodies should not participate in the discussion of matters in which they have a pecuniary interest. Where there may he a perceived conflict of interest, members should not participate in the discussion and should withdraw from the meeting. CABE has its own "operational framework" which incorporates this guidance, and has developed a guidance note on "Managing Conflicts of Interest". CABE has a register of commissioners' interests available to the public on request.

Following concerns about conflict of interest issues at CABE, an independent report was published in June 2004 which examined how conflicts of interest were managed (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment—Audit of Conflicts of Interest, June 2004, HC 678). The report concluded: "CABE has taken reasonable steps to ensure it is operating in accordance with the principles defined by the Nolan Committee. As one of the steps, the Accounting Officer has been proactive in monitoring the higher risk of potential conflicts of interest". To protect public perception of CABE's impartiality, the report made recommendations to strengthen the procedures. The department accepted all the report's recommendations and most of them (23 out of 28) have been implemented. The remainder should be completed by the end of March 2005.

Lord Berkeley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the current terms of reference of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment. [HL291]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) is a company limited by guarantee (company no: 3831652). Under its memorandum and articles of association, the objects of CABE are:

  • 3.1 to advance, for the public benefit, by whatever means are thought fit and whether charitable or not charitable, education including aesthetic education in architecture, design, management and maintenance in the built environment by, in particular,
    1. (a) promoting and encouraging the attainment of high standards in all areas of architecture, design, management and maintenance in the built environment; and
    2. (b) promoting an understanding and appreciation of architecture, design, management and maintenance in the built environment.
  • 3.2 to provide, for the benefit of the community, by whatever means are thought fit, public works, services and amenities; and
  • 3.3 generally to further, by whatever means are thought fit, any other purpose beneficial to the community relating to architecture, design management and maintenance in the built environment.

Provisions are included in the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill to put CABE on a statutory basis.