CULTURE secretary Tessa Jowell has asked the chief executive of the Community Fund Richard Buxton to contact West Devon MP John Burnett about four village projects in his constituency — one of which is Bridestowe Hall.
In a letter to Mr Burnett, Mrs Jowell stressed that decisions on grant applications to the Community Fund — previously the National Lottery — were a matter for the independent distributors who carried out an objective and fair assessment without 'outside interference'.
She added that there was no question of Lottery money being diverted away from the South West.
'The Government is determined that Lottery money should reach those in greatest need across the country.
'That is why the Community Fund and the New Opportunities Fund have, at my request, launched a new targeted initiative — Fair Share,'
she wrote.
'In addition to Fair Share, the Community Fund will announce shortly a £10-million fund to help rural areas that have been chronically underfunded by the Lottery.'
Mrs Jowell admitted she was concerned about the high level of Lottery balances and said she had told the distributing bodies that she wanted to see a reduction in the balances they hold.
Mr Burnett had told Mrs Jowell that the projects in his constituency were in areas that had been economically and socially devastated by foot and mouth and had suffered for many years from an absence of public investment.
Other projects in Mr Burnett's constituency include a new community centre at Hatherleigh, refurbishment of Holsworthy Memorial Hall and a replacement hall at Chilsworthy.