To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much funding was provided by the public purse to the Leadership Centre for Local Government in each year since its creation; and what the annual budget is for the next three years. (182579)

The Leadership Centre for local government was set up in July 2004 following extensive discussion with the Local Government Association and other local government bodies to improve the quality of leadership in local government. The centre was paid £2 million in 2004-05, £4.465 million in 2005-06, £3.267 million in 2006-07 and £3.267 million in 2007-08.

For the CSR07 spending round (2008-11), £2 million annually has been set aside to continue the work of the Leadership Centre.