To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the (a) responsibilities are and (b) budget is of the Advisory Panel on Beacon Councils. (233261)

The Independent Advisory Panel for the Beacon Scheme (constituted as a non-departmental public body) advises Ministers on the themes, the criteria for assessment and the award of Beacon status. The panel receives secretariat support, from the Improvement and Development Agency (IdeA). For 2008-09, the forecast is that the direct costs of administering the panel will be around £167,000.