§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what(a) criteria and (b) benchmarks have been established for monitoring the implementation of the Government's plans for the Thames Gateway, Essex region; who is responsible for the monitoring; and how they will report back findings [152430]
§ Keith HillThe Government's plans for the Thames Gateway region, including south Essex, are set out in Creating Sustainable Communities: Making It Happen in the Thames Gateway and Growth Areas, published on 30 July 2003. That document makes it clear that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will be establishing a Gateway delivery office to work alongside local, regional and national partners to turn strategic plans into operational programmes. The Gateway office will be responsible for monitoring implementation of the Government's plans and for communicating progress. It is anticipated that the office will be up and running shortly.