Mr Clark asked witnesses about the extent of subsidies paid by the Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) to tenants in the NAO's six case studies (paragraph 2.14 of the Report). The NAO offered to quantify the extent of subsidies paid in the six LIFT case study areas.
In four out of six of the case studies, the PCTs did not pay any subsidies to tenants or tenant organisations to encourage them to take space in the LIFT developments. Two did pay subsidies as follows:
(i) Ashton, Leigh and Wigan PCT has subsidised Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council (the Wigan Council). These organisations operate a joint financing pot for some joint initiatives. The Wigan Council space in the Lower Ince development is funded from the pot from April 2005 until March 2007. A subsidy of £839,000 will be paid by the PCT over this period. From thereon the Wigan Council will pay for the space from its central funds. The PCT agreed that the pot could be used to fund Lower Ince to encourage the Wigan Council to take space in the building, which it otherwise could not have afforded. Wigan Council was thus able to be involved in the project from its inception with a two year window to find the money that it needed to fund the tenancy.
(ii) Newham PCT in East London agreed to give a subsidy of £7,500 per annum for two years to Care Navigators to use space in the Manor Park centre. The Care Navigators are employed by Newham University Hospital National Health Service (NHS) Trust. They help people with long term health conditions access a range of health, social and voluntary care services, tailored to the individual's particular needs, to help them manage their conditions. The Care Navigators also assist with referrals around the various professionals located within the LIFT building.