Twenty-Fourth Report - Selecting towns for the Towns Fund
Select Committee
Public Accounts Committee
HC 651
11 November 2020
Government response
Treasury minutes: Government response to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Twenty-fourth report from Session 2019-21 · published 4 Feb 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
6 results
1
Conclusion
Acknowledged
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence...
Conclusion
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 Summary
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
The Department told us that it had not completed its analysis of the 13 plans...
Conclusion
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
The Department further told us that it had entered into a contract worth around £8...
Conclusion
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
The £3.6 billion Towns Fund has three separate strands of funding comprising: • The 101...
Conclusion
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
We asked the Department whether, given the scale of change happening, it will bid for...
Conclusion
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
The Department explained that because of Covid-19 and the recent demands that have been placed...
Conclusion
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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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