APPENDIX 7
Reply from the Welsh Local Government Association
to the Clerk of the Committee
Proposal for the Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance)
(England and Wales) Order 2002
I refer to my telephone conversation yesterday with
one of your colleagues and am grateful for the opportunity to
submit somewhat belated comments on behalf of the WLGA.
The WLGA welcomes the general tenure of the proposal
and the added flexibility that it will bring to Local Authority's
strategic programmes of housing assistance. I have had discussions
with several colleagues and whilst it is clear that there will
be start up costs involved in developing the new systems it is
very difficult, if not impossible, to accurately estimate what
these costs are likely to be. Therefore, WLGA feels it can do
little more at this stage than to place a marker that once a better
understanding of not only the set up costs but also any increased
running costs of the system are known, that these may need to
be presented as new burdens on the RSG. Inasmuch as Local Government
welcomes the proposals, I am sure that you will be able to accept
that the costs involved will be proportionate to the long-term
benefits derived.
Moving to the issue of financial advice, the WLGA
would hope that sufficient weight is given in the guidance to
the need to provide advice to Local Authorities in respect of
this issue.
Finally, WLGA is grateful for the opportunity to
comment.
Mr R Mitchard
Director of Environmental Services & Housing, Caerphilly County
Borough Council
30 January 2002
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