Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the agreements with Watford Borough Council and the property company Kier signed by the West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in relation to the Watford Health Campus Partnership LLP, which runs until 2033 unless previously terminated by agreement, by what authority that Trust signed those agreements; what the legal basis is of that authority; and whether that authority has or had a start or end date.

National Health Service trusts and NHS foundation trusts own their own land and buildings and are responsible for the sale or disposal of identified assets. Trusts work with integrated care boards, including the local authority and NHS England, on planning and optimising their estate.

The Watford Campus Agreement was signed in 2013 by West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Watford Borough Council and the Local asset backed vehicle LABV, which comprises Watford Borough Council and the property company Kier. It was approved by the Trust Board. Regulatory authority is required at the point when expenditure exceeds the delegated £15 million limit. To date, the Trust has contributed £7 million towards the construction of the access road, which opened in 2016. The Watford Campus Agreement has an end date of 2033 unless previously terminated by agreement of all parties.