House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 25 Feb 2002 (pt 39)

Traffic Congestion

Mr. Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs, of 10 December 2001, Official Report, column 566W, on traffic congestion, whether the consultation exercise on fast-track procedures for building roads in excess of 30 kilometres has been undertaken; and if he will make a statement. [36479]

Ms Keeble: Our consultation paper "New Parliamentary Procedures for Processing Major Infrastructure Projects" covers a wide range of major infrastructure projects; including construction, on a new route, of a dual carriageway trunk road in excess of 30 kilometres in length. An announcement was made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my right hon. Friend the hon. Member for Copeland (Dr. Cunningham), on 17 December 2001, Official Report, column 22W. Copies of the consultation paper were placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The deadline for responses is 22 March 2002.

Mineral Planning Guidance

Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) when he expects to publish the new MPG6; [36873]

Ms Keeble: The Green Paper "Planning: delivering a fundamental change" has proposed that all planning guidance, including that for minerals, should be reviewed. The consultation on the Green Paper will end on 18 March 2002 after which decisions will be taken, in the light of the responses, on the nature of future guidance and appropriate timetables for producing it. The Green Paper proposes that current minerals planning guidance notes

25 Feb 2002 : Column 826W

(MPGs), including those on specific minerals such as MPG6 on aggregates, should become technical or system notes to support a statement of core policy in MPG1. Given that this could delay the present revision of MPG6, whatever form that might take, it has been decided that the quantitative national and regional guidelines for aggregates provision within MPG6 should be revised as a matter of urgency, ahead of the revision of policy in MPG1. Work is currently taking place on that basis and it is hoped that a consultation draft of this revision will be published in the late spring of this year.

Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what the timetable is for the review of MPG1; [36872]

Ms Keeble: The Green Paper "Planning: delivering a fundamental change" has proposed that all planning guidance, including that for minerals, should be reviewed, and that priority should be given, among the minerals planning guidance, to the headline guidance on mineral working and restoration in MPG1. The Green Paper proposes that these reviews should be time-tabled over the next two years. The consultation on the Green Paper will end on 18 March 2002 after which decisions will be taken, in the light of the responses, on the action to be taken on its proposals.

Planning Policy

Mr. Ivan Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will assess the merits of making it compulsory for developers to install dropped kerbs at junctions in new building developments as part of the review of planning policy. [36576]

Ms Keeble: The Green Paper, "Planning: delivering a fundamental change" is principally concerned with the operation of the planning process. The provision of dropped kerbs is a matter for highways authorities, who would normally be involved in discussions about new developments. My Department has issued guidance to local authorities to encourage the provision of dropped kerbs to assist people with impaired mobility, and those in wheelchairs or with prams, to cross the road.

Playing Fields

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if the Government will extend to all playing fields the procedural protection provided for school playing fields; and if he will make a statement. [36379]

Ms Keeble: I have no plans to extend the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Playing Fields) (England) Direction 1998 to cover all playing fields. Development or change of use of playing fields already requires planning permission from the local planning authority. In considering such applications, planning authorities must have regard to the policies in their own development plans and the guidance set out in Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) Note 17: "Sport and Recreation". PPG17 makes clear that playing fields should be protected unless there is an excess of provision.

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Neighbourhood Renewal

Rev. Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what progress has been made in implementing the Urban White Paper for neighbourhood renewal and its impact on the inner cities. [36981]

Ms Keeble: The Urban White Paper "Our towns and cities: the future" set out the Government's vision of a better quality of life for all in urban areas. We have provided an account of progress to date as well as the key objectives we aim to deliver on over the next two years in a six-monthly Implementation Bulletin. The next edition is due to be issued in March 2002. We also have an Implementation Plan which tracks progress on all 198 new initiatives and policies in the White Paper. Both documents can be found at www.regeneration.dtlr.gov.uk/ policies/ourtowns/action.

The Urban White Paper promised that in 2002 Ministers across Government would host an Urban Summit. This will take place on 31 October and 1 November at the ICC in Birmingham. The Summit will provide the opportunity to establish and reconfirm the Government-wide commitment to urban renaissance, identify and celebrate progress by individual towns and cities, underline that there is much to do and identify where further action is needed and evaluate the recommendations of the White Paper.

The Government's vision for neighbourhood renewal was set out in the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy Action Plan, launched by the Prime Minister in January 2001. It aims to deliver economic prosperity, safe communities, high quality schools, decent housing, and better health to the poorest parts of the country.

The approach will focus main Government Programmes explicitly on deprived areas, many of which are located in inner-city areas, and will require local people and public and private sectors to work in partnership. The strategy is being spearheaded by the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit, a cross-cutting unit based in DTLR and staffed by officials from across Whitehall and the public sector, with secondees from the private and voluntary sector. The Unit has started to roll-out the Government's 10 to 20-year commitment to turn round our most deprived areas.

Further information on the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal, including updates on progress, can be found on the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit website: www.neighbourhood.dtlr.gov.uk.

Transport-Safety Legislation

Mr. John Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to introduce transport legislation relating to safety this Session; and if he will make a statement. [36597]

Dr. Whitehead: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) on 19 October 2001 Official Report, column 1364W.

London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority

Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions for what reason the

25 Feb 2002 : Column 828W

Private Finance Initiative Credit for the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority integrated clothing project was rejected; and for what reason this funding is not provided as a statutory requirement. [36719]

Dr. Whitehead: The indicative bid which London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority submitted on behalf of a number of fire authorities for an Integrated Clothing Project was not selected for support in the third round of the Private Finance Initiative for the fire service. The bids were assessed according to the criteria set out in Fire Service Circular 3/2001, a copy of which is in the Library. The Integrated Clothing Project did not score as highly as some of the other bids received. The unsuccessful bidders were given feedback on their bids.

As regards funding, statutory responsibility, under section 1(1)(a) of the Fire Services Act 1947, for securing the services of a fire brigade and its supporting equipment rests locally with the fire authority. The authority receives funding under the revenue support grant arrangements and has the responsibility for setting a budget which will allow it to meet its obligations.

Social Services Spending

Mrs. Anne Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list for shire counties the social services standard spending assessment for the elderly, divided by the number of pensioners, adjusted for inflation at current values, in the years 1990–91 to 2001–02 and projected for 2002–03. [36763]

Dr. Whitehead: The Department does not keep data on people of pensionable age covering the entire period. A table showing the elderly personal social services standard spending assessment per person aged 65 and over, adjusted for inflation at current values, has been placed in the Library of the House.

Mrs. Anne Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) if he will list for Cambridgeshire (a) the difference between the social services budget and that county's social services block SSA in each year from 1992–93 to 2002–03 and (b) that sum divided by the total population financed by that social services department, adjusted for inflation at current values; [36764]

(a)

(b)

(c)

Dr. Whitehead: The information requested is as follows:

Cambridgeshire Personal Social Services SSA and Net Revenue Expenditure (NRE) at 2001–02 prices⁽⁵¹⁾

SSA (£000) NRE⁽⁵²⁾ (Outturn) £000 Difference (NRE-SSA) £000 Total population⁽⁵³⁾ Difference per head (£)

1990–91 49,552 63,030 13,478 651,626 21

1991–92 57,392 65,469 8,077 655,047 12

1992–93 59,993 66,842 6,850 664,520 10

1993–94 60,990 69,097 8,107 669,898 12

1994–95 72,327 80,234 7,907 677,689 12

1995–96 79,653 88,824 9,171 682,640 13

1996–97 86,772 96,018 9,246 686,864 13

1997–98 90,606 100,501 9,895 693,871 14

1998–99⁽⁵⁴⁾ 68,061 75,794 7,733 544,948 14

1999–2000 70,200 79,832 9,632 555,684 17

2000–01 72,837 83,040⁽⁵⁵⁾ 10,204 563,794 18

2001–02 72,934 86,622⁽⁵⁵⁾ 13,688 568,407 24

2002–03⁽⁵⁶⁾ 73,974 — — 573,730 —

	SSA (£000)	NRE⁽⁵²⁾ (Outturn) £000	Difference (NRE-SSA) £000	Total population⁽⁵³⁾	Difference per head (£)
1990–91	49,552	63,030	13,478	651,626	21
1991–92	57,392	65,469	8,077	655,047	12
1992–93	59,993	66,842	6,850	664,520	10
1993–94	60,990	69,097	8,107	669,898	12
1994–95	72,327	80,234	7,907	677,689	12
1995–96	79,653	88,824	9,171	682,640	13
1996–97	86,772	96,018	9,246	686,864	13
1997–98	90,606	100,501	9,895	693,871	14
1998–99⁽⁵⁴⁾	68,061	75,794	7,733	544,948	14
1999–2000	70,200	79,832	9,632	555,684	17
2000–01	72,837	83,040⁽⁵⁵⁾	10,204	563,794	18
2001–02	72,934	86,622⁽⁵⁵⁾	13,688	568,407	24
2002–03⁽⁵⁶⁾	73,974	—	—	573,730	—

Notes:

⁽⁵¹⁾ Figures at 2001–02 prices using GDP deflators. NRE is expenditure funded by council tax, general Government grants and use of reserves.

⁽⁵²⁾ NRE is used to compare with SSA.

⁽⁵³⁾ SSA figures are based on population figures two years previous. For example 2000–01 population figures are used in calculating 2002–03 SSA figures and so the population figure recorded for 2002–03 in the table is actually the level of population at 2001–02.

⁽⁵⁴⁾ 1998–99 reorganisation of authority. Former authority included the current city of Peterborough.

⁽⁵⁵⁾ Budget figures.

⁽⁵⁶⁾ Expenditure figures are not available for 2002–03.

Sources: 1992–93—1999–2000 Revenue Summary (RS) and Revenue Grant (RG) returns. 2000–01—2001–02 General Fund Revenue Accounts Budget Estimate return (RA) and RA(SG) (Income from Specific, Special and Supplementary Grants).

25 Feb 2002 : Column 829W

The authority provides figures on expenditure and grant income on the quoted sources. However, in the calculation of Net Revenue Expenditure, certain adjustments are made, which in particular include an estimate of Capital Expenditure Charged to Revenue Account (CERA). It is not possible to provide this analysis at the sub-block level. However, the authority does provide figures on Net Current Expenditure (NCE) separately for children and families, and for older people services. This includes expenditure funded by all specific grants inside aggregate external finance (AEF). It therefore can not be compared with SSA. The table gives the required breakdown by NCE.

Cambridgeshire Personal Social Services Net Current Expenditure (NCE)⁽⁵⁷⁾ at 2001–02 prices£000

Childrens and families Older people services Total other PSS Total PSS

1990–91 13,608 23,305 26,476 63,389

1991–92 14,023 24,309 28,324 66,656

1992–93 15,136 23,490 29,879 68,505

1993–94 16,209 26,400 34,490 77,098

1994–95 27,925 37,778 25,636 91,339

1995–96 31,268 39,760 27,220 98,248

1996–97 32,692 41,091 29,202 102,984

1997–98 35,870 39,407 31,001 106,279

1998–99⁽⁵⁸⁾ 22,926 32,625 24,732 80,283

1999–2000 21,158 35,634 29,077 85,869

2000–01 20,369 38,923 30,160 89,452

2001–02⁽⁵⁹⁾ 22,490 40,091 31,617 94,198

	Childrens and families	Older people services	Total other PSS	Total PSS
1990–91	13,608	23,305	26,476	63,389
1991–92	14,023	24,309	28,324	66,656
1992–93	15,136	23,490	29,879	68,505
1993–94	16,209	26,400	34,490	77,098
1994–95	27,925	37,778	25,636	91,339
1995–96	31,268	39,760	27,220	98,248
1996–97	32,692	41,091	29,202	102,984
1997–98	35,870	39,407	31,001	106,279
1998–99⁽⁵⁸⁾	22,926	32,625	24,732	80,283
1999–2000	21,158	35,634	29,077	85,869
2000–01	20,369	38,923	30,160	89,452
2001–02⁽⁵⁹⁾	22,490	40,091	31,617	94,198

Notes:

⁽⁵⁷⁾ NCE is running expenses plus employee expenses minus sales, fees and charges and other (non-grant) income. Figures at 2001–02 prices using GDP deflators.

⁽⁵⁸⁾ 1998–99 reorganisation of authority.

⁽⁵⁹⁾ Budget figures.

Sources: 1990–91—2000–01 Revenue Summary (RS). 2001–02 General Fund Revenue Account Budget Estimate return, (NCE) column.

25 Feb 2002 : Column 830W

Mrs. Anne Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list for shire counties, for the financial year 1990–91 to 2001–02, and projected for the year 2002–03, adjusted for inflation at current values (a) the total spending, (b) SSA spending and (c) under or over spending on social services for (i) the elderly, (ii) child protection and (iii) other categories. [36758]

Dr. Whitehead: The relevant information has been placed in the Libraries of the house.

Mrs. Anne Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what is the standard spending assessment for social services for elderly people, per pensioner, for (i) Cambridgeshire and (ii) Suffolk in each year from 1990–91 to 2001–02, adjusted for inflation at current values; and what is the Standard Spending Assessment for social services for child protection, per child under the age of 18, for (i) Cambridgeshire and (ii) Suffolk in each year from 1990–91 to 2001–02, adjusted for inflation at current values. [36757]

Dr. Whitehead: The Department does not keep data on people of pensionable age covering the entire period. The table gives the Elderly Personal Social Services (PSS) Standard Spending Assessment (SSA) per person aged 65 and over together with the Children's PSS SSA per child aged 0 to 17, adjusted for inflation at current values ¹ , for Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. The SSAs have been averaged over the number of people for the period used in calculating the SSAs ie for 2001–02, the mid-1999 population estimates have been used.

£ per head

Elderly PSS SSA per person aged 65 and over Children's PSS SSA per child aged 0 to 17

Year Cambridgeshire⁽⁶¹⁾ Suffolk Cambridgeshire Suffolk

1990–91 270.85 264.04 89.46 82.84

1991–92 313.57 306.72 98.98 92.18

1992–93 320.24 320.50 104.10 96.73

1993–94 318.00 320.49 106.92 99.92

1994–95 374.16 369.86 131.49 114.93

1995–96 439.80 429.71 128.47 109.23

1996–97 494.24 483.29 124.30 107.31

1997–98 533.58 517.89 117.06 103.95

1998–99 528.18 533.30 102.84 105.23

1999–2000 549.29 551.14 95.68 104.30

2000–01 564.21 566.68 97.10 106.89

2001–02 565.25 574.07 91.50 100.42

	Elderly PSS SSA per person aged 65 and over	Children's PSS SSA per child aged 0 to 17
Year	Cambridgeshire⁽⁶¹⁾	Suffolk	Cambridgeshire	Suffolk
1990–91	270.85	264.04	89.46	82.84
1991–92	313.57	306.72	98.98	92.18
1992–93	320.24	320.50	104.10	96.73
1993–94	318.00	320.49	106.92	99.92
1994–95	374.16	369.86	131.49	114.93
1995–96	439.80	429.71	128.47	109.23
1996–97	494.24	483.29	124.30	107.31
1997–98	533.58	517.89	117.06	103.95
1998–99	528.18	533.30	102.84	105.23
1999–2000	549.29	551.14	95.68	104.30
2000–01	564.21	566.68	97.10	106.89
2001–02	565.25	574.07	91.50	100.42

⁽⁶⁰⁾ Deflated using the GDP Deflator, 2001–02 equals 100.

⁽⁶¹⁾ The Cambridgeshire (City of Peterborough) (Structural, Boundary and Electoral Changes) Order 1996 came into force on 1 April 1998. Prior to this Cambridgeshire county council also provided services for the area now covered by Peterborough city council.

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