Asked by: Christian Matheson (Independent - City of Chester)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish a list of attendees of the Downing Street social event on 18 December 2020.
Answered by Michael Ellis
I refer the Hon Member to the answers given by my Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister at Prime Minister's Questions on 8 December and those given by me in the House on 9 December. Copies of the terms of reference for the Cabinet Secretary’s investigations have been placed in the Libraries of the House and are also available on the GOV.UK website.
Asked by: Christian Matheson (Independent - City of Chester)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Prime Minister attended the Downing Street staff social event on 18 December 2020.
Answered by Michael Ellis
I refer the Hon Member to the answers given by my Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister at Prime Minister's Questions on 8 December and those given by me in the House on 9 December. Copies of the terms of reference for the Cabinet Secretary’s investigations have been placed in the Libraries of the House and are also available on the GOV.UK website.
Asked by: Christian Matheson (Independent - City of Chester)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what plans he has to publish the criteria and framework used to assess successful bids to round 1 of the Levelling Up Fund bid process.
Answered by Neil O'Brien
Unsuccessful applicants received a letter from the department informing them of the outcome of the Levelling Up Fund. Officials will be in touch shortly with unsuccessful applicants to offer feedback to those whose bids passed the gateway stage.
All bids were subject to the assessment process detailed in the published Levelling Up Fund Prospectus and the Technical Note. An Explanatory Note detailing the Levelling Up Fund assessment, shortlisting and decision-making processes was published on the 27 October alongside the announcement.
Asked by: Christian Matheson (Independent - City of Chester)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what plans he has to provide detailed feedback to hon. Members and local authorities who submitted unsuccessful bids for round 1 of the Levelling Up Fund process.
Answered by Neil O'Brien
Unsuccessful applicants received a letter from the department informing them of the outcome of the Levelling Up Fund. Officials will be in touch shortly with unsuccessful applicants to offer feedback to those whose bids passed the gateway stage.
All bids were subject to the assessment process detailed in the published Levelling Up Fund Prospectus and the Technical Note. An Explanatory Note detailing the Levelling Up Fund assessment, shortlisting and decision-making processes was published on the 27 October alongside the announcement.
Asked by: Christian Matheson (Independent - City of Chester)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential role of (a) Cheshire West and Chester Council, (b) Merseyrail, (c) Transport for Wales and (d) other stakeholders in supporting the progress of Chester Station through the Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Department indicated in its feedback last year on Cheshire West and Chester Council’s initial Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) for potential rail enhancements at Chester Station the further work that was required on the business case before a scheme could be considered for inclusion and progression within the Government’s Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline (RNEP), in accordance with the published guidance. The Council is continuing to work in collaboration with Transport for Wales, Network Rail, the Cheshire and Warrington LEP, other regional partners and my officials to assemble the additional evidence needed to finalise the SOBC.
There is no confirmed timescale for regional partners’ completion of that work, and therefore for any submission or decision on inclusion of a scheme in the RNEP, or for forecast delivery of any works proposed subject to subsequent funding decisions. As with any business case, I would expect any submission to set out proposals for consideration on the role of regional and local partners in the funding and management of the proposed scheme.
Asked by: Christian Matheson (Independent - City of Chester)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline, what estimate he has made of the amount of time it will take for Chester station to move from allocation of funds stage of that programme to the full delivery of works under that programme.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Department indicated in its feedback last year on Cheshire West and Chester Council’s initial Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) for potential rail enhancements at Chester Station the further work that was required on the business case before a scheme could be considered for inclusion and progression within the Government’s Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline (RNEP), in accordance with the published guidance. The Council is continuing to work in collaboration with Transport for Wales, Network Rail, the Cheshire and Warrington LEP, other regional partners and my officials to assemble the additional evidence needed to finalise the SOBC.
There is no confirmed timescale for regional partners’ completion of that work, and therefore for any submission or decision on inclusion of a scheme in the RNEP, or for forecast delivery of any works proposed subject to subsequent funding decisions. As with any business case, I would expect any submission to set out proposals for consideration on the role of regional and local partners in the funding and management of the proposed scheme.
Asked by: Christian Matheson (Independent - City of Chester)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason Chester Station's access to the Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline is delayed.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Department indicated in its feedback last year on Cheshire West and Chester Council’s initial Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) for potential rail enhancements at Chester Station the further work that was required on the business case before a scheme could be considered for inclusion and progression within the Government’s Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline (RNEP), in accordance with the published guidance. The Council is continuing to work in collaboration with Transport for Wales, Network Rail, the Cheshire and Warrington LEP, other regional partners and my officials to assemble the additional evidence needed to finalise the SOBC.
There is no confirmed timescale for regional partners’ completion of that work, and therefore for any submission or decision on inclusion of a scheme in the RNEP, or for forecast delivery of any works proposed subject to subsequent funding decisions. As with any business case, I would expect any submission to set out proposals for consideration on the role of regional and local partners in the funding and management of the proposed scheme.
Asked by: Christian Matheson (Independent - City of Chester)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when his Department expects to begin Chester Station's inclusion in the Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Department indicated in its feedback last year on Cheshire West and Chester Council’s initial Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) for potential rail enhancements at Chester Station the further work that was required on the business case before a scheme could be considered for inclusion and progression within the Government’s Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline (RNEP), in accordance with the published guidance. The Council is continuing to work in collaboration with Transport for Wales, Network Rail, the Cheshire and Warrington LEP, other regional partners and my officials to assemble the additional evidence needed to finalise the SOBC.
There is no confirmed timescale for regional partners’ completion of that work, and therefore for any submission or decision on inclusion of a scheme in the RNEP, or for forecast delivery of any works proposed subject to subsequent funding decisions. As with any business case, I would expect any submission to set out proposals for consideration on the role of regional and local partners in the funding and management of the proposed scheme.
Asked by: Christian Matheson (Independent - City of Chester)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to include Chester Station in the Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Having reviewed an initial proposal from Cheshire West and Chester Council last year, the Department continues to work closely with the Council, Transport for Wales and Network Rail to develop a Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) for potential enhancements at Chester Station.
Asked by: Christian Matheson (Independent - City of Chester)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the number of direct Avanti services currently being provided to Chester and North Wales.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Currently Avanti West Coast (AWC) operate two direct trains per day in each direction between London Euston and Holyhead via Chester. The Department is working with Train Operating Companies to develop attractive timetables that are reliable, deliver excellent performance for passengers, and offer good value for money for the taxpayer.