Selecting towns for the Towns Fund

Public Accounts Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 27 Jul 2020 Closed: 9 Nov 2020 Parliament page
On 27 July 2019, the government announced the £3.6 billion Towns Fund for England, to support towns that currently do not have the right conditions to develop and sustain strong local economies and recognising that many towns have not benefited from the growth experienced by cities over recent decades. Its … Read more
7 Recommendations
20 Conclusions
1 Report
1 Oral session
1 Letter
1 Event
Activity timeline 4 events
6 Jul
2021
Correspondence
4 Feb
2021
Report published
11 Nov
2020
Report published
21 Sep
2020
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 1 session
21 Sep 2020
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Selecting towns for the towns fund
Emran Mian · Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Jeremy Pocklington · Ministry of Defence Stephen Jones · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Twenty-Fourth Report - Selecting towns for the Towns Fund HC 651 11 Nov 2020 27 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
6 results
Clear
1 Conclusion Acknowledged
Twenty-Fourth Report - Selecting t…
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence...
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (the Department) about the Towns Fund.1
Government Response
The government acknowledges the committee's introductory statement, confirming the basis of the report and the timeline of evidence and publication.
HM Treasury
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13 Conclusion Acknowledged
Twenty-Fourth Report - Selecting t…
The Department told us that it had not completed its analysis of the 13 plans...
The Department told us that it had not completed its analysis of the 13 plans submitted by the first cohort of towns but its early impressions of the quality of the plans and the range of interventions proposed were positive.30 … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the committee's observation about its assessment of town investment plans. It states it conducts thorough reviews of town capacity and plan deliverability as part of the established investment process and provides ongoing support to towns.
HM Treasury
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17 Conclusion Acknowledged
Twenty-Fourth Report - Selecting t…
The Department further told us that it had entered into a contract worth around £8...
The Department further told us that it had entered into a contract worth around £8 million with Arup, a professional services company, to provide towns with specific expertise in areas such as real estate valuation. The Department described the efficiency … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the committee's observation regarding its contract with Arup for consultancy support, confirming that Arup and its consortium provide additional support to towns as the Towns Fund Delivery Partner.
HM Treasury
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20 Conclusion Acknowledged
Twenty-Fourth Report - Selecting t…
The £3.6 billion Towns Fund has three separate strands of funding comprising: • The 101...
The £3.6 billion Towns Fund has three separate strands of funding comprising: • The 101 selected towns invited to develop Town Deals and bid for up to £25 million each, or up to £50 million in exceptional circumstances; • A … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the description of the Towns Fund's structure and provides an update, stating that the competition for towns not in the initial selection will now be run as part of the new Levelling Up Fund.
HM Treasury
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22 Conclusion Acknowledged
Twenty-Fourth Report - Selecting t…
We asked the Department whether, given the scale of change happening, it will bid for...
We asked the Department whether, given the scale of change happening, it will bid for higher levels of funding to support the Future High Streets Fund. It explained that, as many of the towns that are eligible for Future High … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the committee's observation regarding its approach to funding, explaining that it has announced the new Levelling Up Fund to consolidate various funding streams, including £300 million from the Towns Fund, for a more integrated approach to local investment.
HM Treasury
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26 Conclusion Acknowledged
Twenty-Fourth Report - Selecting t…
The Department explained that because of Covid-19 and the recent demands that have been placed...
The Department explained that because of Covid-19 and the recent demands that have been placed on local government, the private sector and other members of the Town Deal Boards, it has left towns and the Town Deal Boards to determine … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the committee's concern about Covid-19's impact on towns' ability to secure match funding. It explains that it has provided accelerated funding, allowed additional time for plan development, and encouraged towns to review plans to adapt to changing circumstances.
HM Treasury
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Government Response AI assessment · 26 of 7 classified
Accepted 13
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 6
Deferred 1
Not Addressed 4
Rejected 1
Total 7 recs + 20 conclusions
Correspondence 1 letter
6 Jul 2021 Correspondence from Jeremy Pocklington CB, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, re Annual Towns Fund Report, dated 30 June 2021
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