Corinne Smith

Planning & Reporting

Room 2/K10

Eland House

Bressenden Place

London SW1E 5DU

14 May 2010

FOI Reference number: F0003797

Dear Ms Evans

Thank you for your request for information dated 6^th April 2010 about the Department's Countryside and Regional Analysis (CRA) exercise 2009. I am dealing with your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

I confirm that Communities and Local Government holds the information that you have requested and that I am able to provide you with that information. I have listed all 19 of the Programme Groups (below) with a brief description of each programme:

P08 S080214 ERDF Expense (ODPM)

This is funding for expenditure arising from European Regional Development Funding (ERDF). ERDF is received from the European Union for various projects in the English regions. The former Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) was the main predecessor department when this funding was agreed.

P08 S081202 Local government research:

This is funding for external research commissioned on local government finance related issues

P08 S080601 Central administration

This is funding for all the administrative costs of the CLG, such as staff salaries and the other costs (e.g. accommodation) of running the department.

P08 S080653 Government Offices Administration

This is funding for all the administrative costs of the Government Offices, such as staff salaries and the other costs of running the Government Offices network.

P08 S080631 Groundwork

This is a grant funding scheme to encourage a range of organisations (from public, private and voluntary/community groups) to participate in developing and improving publicly owned green areas within their region. The green areas are publicly owned local parks, gardens and other open spaces.

P08 S081139 Residual SRB

The Strategic Research Budget (SRB) funds research and data collection of strategic importance to the Department.

P08 S500209 HCA: former CNT programmes

This is funding managed by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA); set up in December 2008. HCA incorporated the former CNT (Commission for New Towns). The funding covers programmes inherited from CNT. CNT was responsible for land acquisition and organising major development projects, alone or in partnership with private sector developers.

P08 S081308 New Dimension - Mass Decontamination

This is funding to provide the front line Fire and Rescue Service with the capability for mass decontamination of people and areas following a terrorist attack. New Dimension refers to the new dimension of terrorism arising from the 11 September 2001 destruction of the twin towers in New York.

P08 S080617 Valuation tribunals:

This is grant funding to support the work of the Valuation Tribunal Service - a non departmental public body responsible for appeals against non-domestic rating and council tax valuations.

P08 S080224 Research

This is the research budget which is part of the New Horizons programme. The programme is designed to help the Department prepare for the future by developing innovative analytical capacity using proposals from outside researchers. The department's horizon-scanning capability ensures that policies / programmes meet potential new challenges.

P08 S080246 Green Flags

This is funding to create cleaner, safer and greener communities. The Green Flag Award Scheme recognises and rewards high standards in publicly owned parks and green spaces.

P08 S500097 Economic Development Duty

This is funding for upper tier local authorities (separately or together) to undertake, as part of their duties, an assessment of the economic circumstances and challenges to their local economy.

P08 S081073 Capacity Building:

This is funding to build capacity in delivery partners e.g. local strategic partnerships, local authorities, community and faith groups and the third sector.

P08 S070735 Private Landlords in Low Demand Areas

This is a grant funded scheme to address, e.g. by selective licensing, the impact of poor quality private landlords, as well as improve the standard of private housing rental, in areas of low housing demand.

P08 S080234 Other Growth Areas (SEEDA)

This is funding for the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA). SEEDA supports the South East by funding public, private and voluntary groups to achieve and maintain global competitiveness, raise productivity and employment, and invest in sustainable prosperity.

P08 S080215 ERDF Losses and Write-offs

This funding is to cover losses arising from European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) e.g. in foreign currency exchange rates fluctuations and project audit adjustments.

P08 S080614 National non-domestic rate payments - collection costs:

This is an amount of non domestic rates (Business Rates) retained by local authorities towards the costs incurred in the collection process.

P08 S061107 E-Planning

This is funding for the development and implementation of the online Planning process and application forms.

P08 S081313 New Dimension Search & Rescue (CMF AA = 101)

This is funding to provide the front line Fire and Rescue Service with the capability for the search and rescue of people following a terrorist attack. New Dimension refers to the new dimension of terrorism arising from the 11 September 2001 destruction of the twin towers in New York.

Communities and Local Government as an organisation aims to be as helpful as possible in the way it deals with requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. If, however, you are not satisfied with the way in which your request has been handled or its outcome, you may request an internal review within two calendar months of the date of this letter. Information about the Department's review procedures and how to apply for an internal review of your case is contained on the Department's website at http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/corporate/pdf/1384250.pdf. This also explains your right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision in the event that you remain dissatisfied following the authority's review.

Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the Internal Review procedure provided by Communities and Local Government. The Information Commissioner`s address is in the leaflet that is mentioned above.

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Yours sincerely,

Corinne Smith