To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the value for money of the spending of her Department's grant for the refurbishment of the Ecton Lane Park Travellers’ site. (97329)

All bids for Gypsy and Traveller Sites Grant are assessed by independent consultants on a number of criteria including value for money. On this basis we were satisfied that the scheme to refurbish Ecton Lane Park Travellers’ site represented reasonable value for money when grant was awarded.

Northampton borough council has undertaken an investigation into the refurbishment of this site. Councils have a general responsibility to secure value for money in the use of funds, subject to scrutiny by the district auditor, and are responsible for taking any remedial action where problems are highlighted.