Asked by: Chris Elmore (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, for what reason Bridgend County Borough Council did not meet the criteria to be a priority place for the UK Community Renewal Fund.
Answered by Luke Hall
To ensure that the UK Community Renewal Fund reaches those most in need, we have identified 100 priority places based on an index of economic resilience across Great Britain which measures productivity, household income, unemployment, skills and population density. This has been developed based on a consistent approach to identifying need across Great Britain. We are committed to transparency and a methodological note explaining how the 100 priority places were determined has been published alongside further guidance for applicants and lead authorities.
Asked by: Chris Elmore (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Wales regarding the UK Community Renewal Fund.
Answered by Luke Hall
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has worked collaboratively with multiple departments on the UK Community Renewal Fund, the Secretary of State and his Ministerial team have met with counterparts from other government departments including the Secretary of State for Wales. Departmental officials have also regularly met with colleagues from other government departments.
Asked by: Chris Elmore (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has reviewed the eligibility criteria for the allocation of priority places for the UK Community Renewal Fund.
Answered by Luke Hall
To ensure the UK Community Renewal Fund funding reaches the most in need, we have identified 100 priority places based on an index of economic resilience across Great Britain which measures productivity, household income, unemployment, skills, and population density.
We are committed to transparency and a methodological note has been published explaining how the 100 priority places were selected.
Asked by: Chris Elmore (Labour - Bridgend)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with local authorities in Wales on the UK Community Renewal Fund.
Answered by Luke Hall
As set out in the UK Community Renewal Fund prospectus, the UK Government will work directly with local partners and communities across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, who are best placed to understand the needs of their local areas and more closely aligned to the local economic geographies to deliver quickly on the ground.
Following the launch of the Fund, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and officials held webinar events with all local authorities, including those in Wales, to provide details on the design of the new fund.
UK Government officials have been in touch with local authorities in Wales to assist them further in their understanding of the UK Community Renewal Fund, including how to apply.