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7 Nov 2006 : Column 988W—continued
| Regional—average initial equity stake purchased | |
| Region | Average (percentage) |
| London boroughs—average initial equity stake purchased | |
| London boroughs | Average (percentage) |
| Note: All information provided by CORE data 2005-06. | |
Ann Keen: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans she has to allow arm's-length management organisations greater freedom to develop their role as landlords. [100083]
Yvette Cooper: The ALMO Review published on 7 June sets out how the Government see the long-term role of arm’s-length management organisations (ALMOs). We want to see ALMOs play a wider role in developing successful, mixed communities as well as continuing to improve the quality of housing management services. ALMOs are already undertaking preparatory work on a range of options, including self-financing and new build opportunities, and the Settled Homes pilot scheme that we announced in July. The review also confirmed that high performing ALMOs can bid for social housing grant to build affordable housing in their areas.
Mr. Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many (a) social rented homes and (b) shared ownership homes were built in Reading in each year since 1990. [100137]
Yvette Cooper: The following table shows homes provided for social rent and shared ownership in Reading through the Housing Corporation’s Affordable Housing Programme, Local Authority Social Housing Grant and Starter Home Initiative.
| Social rent | Shared ownership | |
These figures include both new build and acquisition and refurbishment.
Figures for 2006-08 are indicative and based on allocations made by the Housing Corporation in their 2006-08 Affordable Housing Programme. This does not include shared ownerships and social rented homes funded entirely through Section 106. Nor does it include English Partnerships’ first time buyers programme.
High Hedges
25. Dr. Naysmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance her Department gives to councils on charges to deal with complaints relating to high hedges under part 8 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003; and if she will make a statement. [99696]
Angela E. Smith: Our advice on fees under the high hedges legislation is in paragraphs 5.13 to 5.16 of the guidance document ‘High Hedges Complaints: Prevention and Cure’. It indicates that each local authority is responsible for deciding whether, and at what level, to charge for dealing with complaints about high hedges.
Community Cohesion
Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when she last met (a) male and (b) female Muslim community leaders to discuss community cohesion. [99697]
Mr. Woolas: Both the Secretary of State and I regularly meet both male and female Muslim stakeholders to discuss a range of issues, including community cohesion.
Most recently, on 14 August the Secretary of State hosted a series of meetings which brought together a wide range of Muslim leaders to discuss ways to promote community cohesion and tackle extremism.
Business Improvement District Legislation
Mr. Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps she is taking to ensure that the rights of property owners are protected in the Business Improvement District legislation. [95236]
Mr. Woolas: Under the Business Improvement District (BID) legislation the occupiers of business property vote in a BID ballot and are liable to pay a BID levy if the ballot is successful. Property owners may make voluntary contributions, either financial or in-kind, to the development and implementations of a BID, but do not vote in the ballot and are not liable for the levy. Owners’ rights in respect of their properties are not affected by the BID legislation.
Casinos
James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will publish the advice her Department gave to (a) Southend Council, (b) Thames Gateway, (c) Thames Gateway South Essex, (d) Renaissance Southend, (e) Essex County Council, (f) East of England Development Authority, (g) East of England Regional Assembly and (h) other public bodies in the East of England on a single bid from the Thames Gateway region for a regional casino. [84393]
Yvette Cooper: In the preparation of the interim Thames Gateway Strategic Framework, officials did discuss with stakeholders whether the framework should express a preference for one of the five bids in the Thames Gateway if two or more candidates were shortlisted. No firm conclusion was reached and there was no discussion about supporting a particular bid. After consulting DCMS officials, DCLG officials decided not to take any action to accord priority to the Thames Gateway or a location within it. DCLG Ministers were not involved in any of this process. Greenwich was subsequently selected as the only shortlisted candidate for a regional casino in the Thames Gateway by the Independent Advisory Panel.
James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what discussions officials in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister had with Thames Gateway regarding the possibility of prioritising a single bid for a regional casino being entered from the Thames Gateway region; [86041]
(2) what discussions officials from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister had in February 2006 with Thames Gateway regarding Ministers’ views on a single bid for a regional casino for the Thames Gateway region. [86059]
Yvette Cooper: I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 7 November 2006 (question 84393).
Central London
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what definition her Department uses of Central London; and if she will make a statement. [99443]
Mr. Woolas: Statutory Instrument 2000 No. 1493 defines Central London as covering all or part of Westminster, Camden, Lambeth, Southwark, Islington, City, Tower Hamlets and Wandsworth. Central London, however, is often generally taken to mean the 13 boroughs previously within the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA).
Climate Change
Anne Moffat: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on ways in which local authorities can more effectively tackle climate change. [99563]
Yvette Cooper: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government met my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 10 October in the context of the forthcoming Local Government White Paper for a wide-ranging discussion which covered the role of authorities in tackling environmental issues.
Council Tax
Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the annual change was in the level of council tax in each London borough in each year since 1996-97; and if she will make a statement. [96653]
Mr. Woolas: The annual percentage change in the level of council tax by each district council in each London borough since 1996-97 are tabled as follows. Figures are based solely on the borough’s element of the bill, which excludes the precepting amount from the Greater London Authority.
| Annual percentage change in the level of council tax by each London borough since 1996-97( 1) | ||||||
| Authority | 1996-97 | 1997-98 | 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 |
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