§ Sir Sydney ChapmanTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will set out the work programme of the Housing Quality Forum; and if he will make a statement on the role of the Forum in delivering the policies set out in the Sustainable Communities Plan. [185818]
§ Keith HillThe Housing Quality Forum, which is a partnership between ourselves the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation, exists to facilitate a continuing debate about approaches to creating sustainable communities in the Housing Growth Areas, to champion new solutions to improving design quality and to build consensus among the private and public sector partners charged with delivery. The Forum meets twice a year and is attended by representatives from local authorities, housing associations, housing developers, regional agencies and local delivery vehicles.
The first meeting, attended by 120 delegates, was held in March 2004, and the second in October 2004 will address issues relating to the delivery of good quality design, disseminate emerging best practice advice and present exemplary development projects in the Housing Growth Areas. More broadly, the focus will be on wider strategies for making successful places, with themes such as public open space strategies and social and cultural infrastructure that form key elements of successful and sustainable communities.