Extract from Hansard

Taken from a meeting of the South East Regional Grand Committee on Monday 14th September 2009 –

‘Identifying Growth Sectors of the South East Economy’

(Reading)

Question to the Minister - Infrastructure Spending (Mid-Sussex)

Mr. Nicholas Soames (Mid-Sussex) (Con):
What discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on levels of spending on infrastructure in Mid-Sussex. [291319]

Column number: 4

The Minister for the South East (Jonathan Shaw): I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. Delivering the necessary infrastructure is critical to sustainable development and I very much welcome the progress that has been made on key projects in Mid-Sussex, such as the A23 improvement scheme, which will ease congestion and make for safer travel. We recognise that certainty of funding for infrastructure projects is a key issue, which is why we are introducing the community infrastructure levy to help local councils unlock the land needed for new homes and new jobs.

Mr. Soames: May I say that although the A23 improvement is welcome, it will have very little impact on the kind of infrastructure deficit that is preventing growth in Mid-Sussex at the moment? Will the Minister say what rules of sustainability he intends to apply in a place such as Mid-Sussex where there is a serious deficit in every area of infrastructure-from sewerage to water to electricity? Such an area is quite incapable of matching the targets that the Government have put upon it.

Jonathan Shaw: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his question. He has brought the issue to colleagues in the Department for Communities and Local Government for a number of years. He is a champion for his community, and that is quite right. However, there is always a balance to be struck. From his ministerial days, he will know that local authorities will always push the envelope to maximise the amount of resource that they get from central Government. That is reasonable and one would expect them to do so, but a balance needs to be struck in terms of providing for the considerable housing needs in his area, which is a very expensive area in which to live, and getting the necessary investment. We are putting additional resources into his county and throughout the south-east.

I hope that the arrangements for the A23 will assist. I know that there have been disputes between different authorities in the area about getting the road improved, but we need additional housing and the balance must be struck in terms of the resources that central Government have. I believe that the community levy, which will come in next April, will provide some certainty. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will welcome the additional £2 million announced last week to help his authority build 41 much-needed properties for families in his constituency.

Nicholas Soames commented; “This is a predictable and inadequate answer to the very serious infrastructure problem that exists in Mid Sussex and the Government’s inability to front up to the problem.”

-ends-

Notes:-

Parliamentary Debates. House of Commons Official Report. South of East Regional Grand Committee.

‘Identifying Growth Sectors of the South East Economy’

Monday 14th September 2009. (Reading)

Click here to view hansard