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Written question asked by Baroness Debbonaire (Labour) on Tuesday, 12 March 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 14 March 2024. It was answered by Jacob Young (Conservative) on Monday, 18 March 2024 on behalf of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Chess: Finance

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to his Department's guidance entitled Installing chess tables in parks and public spaces: prospectus, published on 1 September 2023, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing additional funding to local authorities for chess pieces to accompany the chess tables.

Answer

85 local authorities that received Levelling Up Parks Fund funding were invited to apply for the chess tables funding. In total, 55 local authorities applied for the funding. We have provided funding to those 55 local authorities to install 99 chess tables across England.

We have asked local authorities to consider how the location they choose creates new opportunities, helps to strengthen relationships, builds local social cohesion and provides opportunities for people to come together in a joint activity.

Prior to the announcement of funding, we engaged stakeholders across Government, as well as local authorities and the English Chess Federation.

Local authorities know their communities best and are best placed to manage the use and assess the effects of the chess tables locally, if they choose to do so.

Any decisions to provide chess sets are for local authorities to take.

Further announcements will be set out in the usual way.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
18185
Session
2023-24
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Finance Local government Public places Parks Chess
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk