FOI request (Regional Growth Fund)
I’ve just submitted a FOI request to BIS for:
a) copies of all successful applications to the Regional Growth Fund;
b) copies of the scoring and assessment criteria used to judge bids;
c) copies of correspondence from BIS to the Western Morning News.
This is why.
Will let you know how I get on.
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Categories: General Politics, Local Democracy
The answer will be:
(a) No – these are obviously commercially sensitive so outside the scope of FOI Act
(b) These have been published. Basic criteria (over £1m, vfm, create sustainable jobs) and then it’s a competitive bid process.
(c) Heseltine’s role is to encourage bids. There’s no conspiracy in encouraging people to apply, especially when it is a panel of Ministers led by Nick Clegg who decide.
I don’t know anything about Skelmersdale but you might be better asking for any particular comments about the bid made in the meeting in which it was rejected.
My guess would be that it asked for too much money, didn’t necessarily create many long term jobs and was seen as the responsibility of the local Council.