Debt Collection: Standards

Grant Shapps
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many public request to order disposal applications have been received by the Government.

Mr. Dhanda
Available records show that since 1997 the Government have received 42 public requests to order disposal under Section 98 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980. Of these, 37 have been received since 2004.

Grant Shapps
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps her Department has taken on the public request to order disposal applications made in relation to Prescott Villas in Prescott Drive in Liverpool.

Mr. Dhanda
In 2006 a notice was issued stating that the Secretary of State proposed to direct Liverpool city council to dispose of land at numbers 14, 16, 18 and 20 Prescott Drive. After consideration of the council’s representations the decision was taken not to direct in respect of 20 Prescott Drive, as the council had by then disposed of its interest.

In respect of 14, 16, and 18 Prescott Drive, the decision was taken not to direct at present, but it was decided that a notice of the proposal to direct should remain in place and be reviewed after 12 months (October 2007) in order to give the council time to resolve land issues, finalise redevelopment plans and make tangible progress towards the development of the land.

In December 2007 Government office officials met with Liverpool city council to look at progress and consider whether a new notice should be issued. The Secretary of State will shortly be considering what further action to take.