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7 Feb 2008 : Column 1316W—continued
| Telford and the Wrekin borough council | ||||
| 2007-07 | 2007-08 | Planned for 2008-09 | Total | |
For the Department’s associated agencies and non-departmental public bodies, the information is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Sustainable Development
Mr. Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will make it her policy to give equal recognition in planning policy to the renewable wood sector and wood processing sector and the renewable electricity industry generally; and if she will require local authorities to have regard to strategic energy needs in determining planning policy. [185476]
Mr. Iain Wright: We published in December 2007 a new planning policy statement (PPS) on climate change. This expects regional planning bodies and all local planning authorities to plan for, and support, renewable and low-carbon energy. The PPS will help the development of renewable energy by, for example, expecting regional targets for renewable energy generation to fully reflect opportunities in the region. Planning authorities are advised that they should not require applicants to demonstrate either the overall need for renewable energy, nor question the energy justification for why a proposal for renewable energy must be sited in a particular location. Explanations of the terms used in the PPS are set out in its glossary. This makes it clear that renewable and low-carbon energy supplies include “those from biomass and energy crops”.
Thames Gateway: Domestic Visits
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what (a) receptions, (b) dinners and (c) conferences and seminars that included receptions or meals, have been attended by the Chief Executive of Thames Gateway, in her official capacity; since her appointment. [162608]
Caroline Flint [holding answer 14 November 2007]: Judith Armitt started as Thames Gateway Chief Executive in November 2006. It was an important part of her work to develop a relationship with stakeholders across the Thames Gateway.
In terms of receptions/dinners/conferences and seminars, on average Judith Armitt attended just under two such events per month in her time as Chief Executive. From November 2006 to November 2007 she attended the following receptions/dinners or conferences and seminars:
20 November—UK Major Ports Group reception
22 November—Thames Gateway Forum
30 November—Bexley annual business dinner
4 December—BBC South East sport awards (reception)
11 January—London Government Dinner
30 January—MP’s dinner
13 March—Crest Nicholson and UKTI dinners at MIPIM conference
20 March—Bell Pottinger Dinner
28 March—Sustainable Communities awards ceremony and dinner
26 April—National Express Board of Directors Dinner
2 May—Speaker at EP Women’s Development Programme
7 June—IdeA awards dinner for sustainable communities
18 June—Chemistry Club Private Dinner
10 July—Thames Gateway Parliamentary Group Reception
17 July—Natural England dinner
4 September—London First Summer Party
6 September—David Morley architects reception
10 October—TGSEP Board—Annual Dinner
30 October—EP Annual Dinner
31 October—Trafalgar Dinner Chatham
6 November—Opening of St. Pancras
Joe Montgomery, as Director General, Regions and Communities, now has direct responsibility for the Thames Gateway Executive and coordinates the work of Government Departments and agencies in the Gateway. Meeting stakeholders is an important part of this role, and it is normal to attend receptions, dinners and conferences from time to time in order to do so. All hospitality is undertaken in accordance with the civil service management code.
Thames Gateway: Public Appointments
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what process will be used to select the (a) interim chief executive and (b) permanent chief executive of the Thames Gateway Delivery Unit. [174458]
Caroline Flint: On 10 January 2008, Yvette Cooper informed the House that a range of housing and regeneration delivery functions currently undertaken by the Thames Gateway Executive (TGE) will transfer to the new Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). Subject to the passage of the Housing and Regeneration Bill, the HCA will take on these functions when it comes into operation in April 2009. From that date onwards, Sir Bob Kerslake, the first chief executive officer of the HCA, will assume responsibility for delivery in the Thames Gateway.
On 29 November 2007, the Prime Minister launched the Thames Gateway Delivery Plan which set out a programme of over £9 billion cross-Government investment in the Thames Gateway. Joe Montgomery, director-general for regions and communities in the Department for Communities and Local Government, assumed direct responsibility for the TGE in December 2007. Until the HCA comes into operation, Mr. Montgomery will be responsible for driving forward the commitments made in the Delivery Plan and will work closely with the emerging HCA team to ensure a smooth transition to the new agency. Under these arrangements, it is not intended that the TGE should be led by a chief executive.
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how she plans to fill the post of Chief Executive of the Thames Gateway; what the time scale is for filling the post; what interim arrangement will be made until the post is filled; whether she expects any consequential reorganisation to be necessary in her Department; and if she will make a statement. [174387]
Caroline Flint [holding answer 17 December 2007]: On 10 January 2008, Yvette Cooper informed the House that a range of housing and regeneration delivery functions currently undertaken by the Thames Gateway Executive (TGE) will transfer to the new Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). Subject to the passage of the Housing and Regeneration Bill, the HCA will take on these functions when it comes into operation in April 2009. From that date onwards, Sir Bob Kerslake, the first chief executive officer of the HCA, will assume responsibility for delivery in the Thames Gateway.
On 29 November 2007, the Prime Minister launched the Thames Gateway Delivery Plan which set out a programme of over £9 billion cross-Government investment in the Thames Gateway. Joe Montgomery, director-general for regions and communities in the Department for Communities and Local Government, assumed direct responsibility for the TGE in December 2007. Mr. Montgomery retains his seat on the Department’s board. Until the HCA comes into operation, Mr. Montgomery will be responsible for driving forward the commitments made in the Delivery Plan and will work closely with the emerging HCA team to ensure a
smooth transition to the new agency. Under these arrangements, it is not intended that TGE should be led by a chief executive.
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the reasons for the resignation of the Chief Executive of the Thames Gateway. [174388]
Caroline Flint [holding answer 17 December 2007]: All civil servants are employed under terms and conditions set out in the Civil Service Management Code. Responsibility for personnel matters within the Department is delegated to the permanent secretary.
Urban Areas: Sustainable Development
Mr. Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government who the sponsors are of the housing growth and eco-towns regional seminars arranged by her Department and the Town and Country Planning Association; whether any of the sponsors are potential developers of eco-towns; and what guidelines she has issued over potential conflicts of interest between her Department and the Town and Country Planning Association and potential eco-town developers. [185457]
Caroline Flint: The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) is arranging a series of regional seminars on eco-towns and the promotion of good practice in planning for sustainability in these and similar schemes with support from my Department and I understand a number of other public and private organisations. These events are open to all and are concerned with general principles and good practice, not individual site based proposals.
To manage potential conflicts of interest the TCPA has ensured a broad range of partners are engaged in the seminar series from the public and the private sectors and a protocol of roles and responsibilities between TCPA and Communities and Local Government has been drawn up and is publicly available on the TCPA website.
The TCPA’s role on eco-towns is to advise on the practical application of the key sustainability and development criteria for schemes and they are not involved in the process of assessing bids and selecting schemes.
Wetlands: Conservation
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance has been issued to local planning authorities on the protection of wetland sites of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention on wetlands. [185230]
Mr. Iain Wright:
ODPM Circular 06/2005 “Biodiversity and Geological Conservation-Statutory obligations and their impact within the planning system” sets out administrative guidance on the application of legislation relating to planning and nature conservation in England. This includes the specific requirements set by European Directives and the procedures to be followed by local planning authorities. As a matter of policy the Government
have chosen to apply many of these same procedures in respect of sites designated under the Ramsar Convention, thereby assisting the UK Government in fully meeting their obligations in respect of this Convention.
National planning policy on nature conservation is contained in Planning Policy Statement 9 “Planning for Biodiversity and Geological Conservation” (ODPM 2005) and is supported by a separate guide to good practice published in 2006.
Written Questions
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when she will reply to question 162608, on the Chief Executive of Thames Gateway tabled by the hon. Member for Thurrock on 6 November 2007. [174344]
Caroline Flint: I have now replied to my hon. Friend’s question.
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