The information requested is as follows.
(a) Joint schemes allow National Lottery distributors to pool resources and funding powers to facilitate the delivery of a single distribution scheme and are subject to provisions outlined in the National Lottery etc. Act 1993 (as amended). This requires distributors wishing to participate in a joint scheme to apply in writing to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Since 2006, when the first DCMS simplification plan was published, the Secretary of State has approved:
The Awards for All (England) joint scheme (authorisation) Order 2007, which extended the Awards for All (England) joint scheme to 31 March 2009; and
The Parks for People (England) joint scheme (authorisation) Order 2008, which extended the Parks for People (England) joint scheme to 31 March 2015.
(b) Lottery Distributors regularly review and rationalise all their funding programmes, taking into account policy directions issued by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, to ensure that they remain fit for purpose. Most recently, the Big Lottery Fund carried out a major public consultation, the views from which will help it to frame its funding strategy between 2009-15.