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
5 results
10
Conclusion
Not Addressed
We heard from the Department that its officials had assessed each town against three qualitative...
Conclusion
We heard from the Department that its officials had assessed each town against three qualitative criteria using the knowledge of its area-based teams, rather than consulting directly with local stakeholders. The Department argued that it gave more weight to the …
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Government Response Summary
The government's response details ongoing engagement with local representatives and requirements for Town Deal Boards to involve local stakeholders, but it does not address the committee's observation regarding the lack of direct consultation or ministerial rejection of advice during the initial town selection process.
HM Treasury
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11
Conclusion
Not Addressed
We queried why the Department had required a new tier of governance—Town Deal Boards—to be...
Conclusion
We queried why the Department had required a new tier of governance—Town Deal Boards—to be set up, rather than use existing governance structures to plan and implement the Towns Fund at the local level. The Department explained that existing structures, …
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Government Response Summary
The government's response details its expectations for Town Deal Boards and their engagement but does not directly address the committee's query about the rationale for creating a new tier of governance instead of utilising existing local structures.
HM Treasury
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18
Conclusion
Not Addressed
The Department told us that it is working at pace to agree the funding that...
Conclusion
The Department told us that it is working at pace to agree the funding that will be available for the 13 towns in the first cohort and would like to be able to make decisions in October. But the Department …
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Government Response Summary
The government's response, which incorrectly categorises the conclusion as a recommendation, details accelerated funding provided to towns due to COVID-19 but does not address the committee's observation regarding potential delays in agreeing funding and issuing final project approvals.
HM Treasury
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19
Conclusion
The Department has developed a funding profile for the Towns Fund over the next four...
Conclusion
The Department has developed a funding profile for the Towns Fund over the next four financial years but does not know yet whether it aligns with towns’ individual investment plans. The Department explained that it wants the profile of funding …
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HM Treasury
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21
Conclusion
Not Addressed
The Department confirmed that, despite the impact of Covid-19 on government spending plans, the £3.6...
Conclusion
The Department confirmed that, despite the impact of Covid-19 on government spending plans, the £3.6 billion funding allocated to the Towns Fund is secure. It told us that it had no plans to do anything other than continue with the …
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Government Response Summary
The government's response, again incorrectly categorising the conclusion as a recommendation, details accelerated funding provided to towns due to COVID-19 but does not explicitly re-confirm the security of the £3.6 billion Towns Fund as stated in the committee's observation.
HM Treasury
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