Asked by: Andrew Turner (Conservative - Isle of Wight)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what functions are planned to become the responsibility of the proposed Solent combined authority; what estimate he has made of the costs of each of those functions in the next (a) 12 months, (b) five years and (c) 30 years; and if he will publish all information that his Department holds on those proposed functions.
Answered by Andrew Percy
The proposals for a Solent Combined Authority have been developed by local leaders and partners in the Solent and leaders in the Solent have been undertaking a consultation to inform their proposals and gather the views of local people. Following that it will be for the local authorities to decide if they wish to propose forming a Combined Authority.
Ministers and officials have held discussions with Solent partners on what additional powers and funding could be devolved to the local area, as we have with local areas up and down the country. These discussions have not as yet reached a conclusion although I expect that if a Solent Combined Authority is proposed to government a devolution deal could be rapidly concluded.
Asked by: Andrew Turner (Conservative - Isle of Wight)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether there will be a consultation by the Homes and Communities Agency over plans for the Venture Quays building in East Cowes.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
The overarching plan for the redevelopment of East Cowes has been the subject of widespread consultation and engagement with the local community over a number of years. As phases of the development come forward, there will be further consultation on these new proposals as part of the planning process - this will include the latest phase of development where the Agency is currently seeking a delivery partner to bring forward a mixed use development.
Asked by: Andrew Turner (Conservative - Isle of Wight)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, on what basis the Homes and Communities Agency determined the market value of the Venture Quays site in East Cowes.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
The Homes and Communities Agency has a robust and well established policy on land disposals whereby it seeks to dispose of land at market value. As part of this process, the preferred bid for the sale of any land within the East Cowes site will be reviewed by an independent chartered surveyor - in line with the requirements set by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.
Asked by: Andrew Turner (Conservative - Isle of Wight)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate the Homes and Communities Agency has made of the (a) value to the Isle of Wight economy of and (b) number of jobs protected or created by expressions of interest in the Venture Quays site in East Cowes.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
The Homes and Communities Agency is working closely with the Isle of Wight Council and Solent Local Enterprise Partnership and anticipates that:
(a) The development of land at East Cowes will benefit the Isle of Wight through the creation of at least 300 jobs, and around £60 million of private investment.
(b) Around half of the 300 new jobs have been generated by the developments completed to date, and the remaining balance should be secured over the next few years from the remaining phases of development including the proposed marina.
Asked by: Andrew Turner (Conservative - Isle of Wight)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether the money allocated by his Department to Eastbourne Pier is covered in full or in part by insurance.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
The £2 million of funding to Eastbourne council will be used to help counter the impact of the loss of the pier on local businesses and the community. None of the funding will be provided for rebuilding of the Pier itself, which, I understand, is covered by the Pier owner’s insurance.
Asked by: Andrew Turner (Conservative - Isle of Wight)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, under what cost heading Eastbourne Pier has been granted money to help in its reconstruction.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
The Government announced that up to £2 million will be made available to Eastbourne Council to help them recover from the fire at Eastbourne Pier. HM Treasury will provide additional funding as required and this will be agreed as part of the 2014-15 Supplementary Estimates. The £2 million funding to Easbourne Council will be used to support local businesses and traders. None of the funding will be provided for the rebuilding of the pier itself, which, I understand is covered by the Pier owner's insurance.