---

26 Apr 2004 : Column 787W—continued

Local Government Finance

Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which authorities receive area cost adjustment; on what basis it is calculated; how much each receives; and what plans he has to review it. [166926]

 
26 Apr 2004 : Column 788W
 

Mr. Raynsford: The area cost adjustment is the element of the funding formula which directs extra resources to local authorities with higher wage and rates costs. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister calculates an area cost adjustment (ACA) for every authority in England and it acts as a multiplier on formula spending share (FSS) formulae. Where local wages are low the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister raised the ACA value of that area to one, to ensure that low pay local authority areas do not lose out. Where wages and rates costs are higher, the authority receives a positive ACA top-up.

It is possible to present the FSS figures for each authority in terms of a basic amount plus top-ups, one of which is the ACA. The figures provided in the table, which have been made available in the Library of the House, detail which authorities receive an ACA top-up and how much each authority receives split by FSS sub-block. These figures are consistent with the 'Simple Presentation' guide to the funding formulae, which is available on the internet at; http://www.local.odpm.gov.uk/finance/0405/simppress/index.htm.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister calculates the ACA using the best available evidence on wage and business rate costs. The calculation is set out in the area cost adjustment methodology guide. This document is on the Internet at http://www.local.odpm.gov.uk/finance/0405/acamethods.pdf and can be made available in the Library of the House.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister announced in the 2001 white paper 'strong local leadership—quality public services' (CM5237) that following the anticipated reforms in 2003–04 the funding formulae will be frozen for at least 2004–05 and 2005–06. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not intend to change the way that the ACA is calculated during this period. If it is decided that changes to the formulae should be made for 2006–07, a full consultation on options for change would take place prior to the normal settlement round for that year.

Mr. Keetch: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether his Department includes fire authority, police authority and parish council precepts in calculations determining the level of increase in council tax bills; and if he will make a statement. [167294]

Mr. Raynsford: The published figures for council tax bills in each billing authority area include all precepts. However, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has always published figures for the level of, and increase in, police and fire authorities' precepts as well as the billing authority's council tax including parish precepts and the total council tax bill payable in a billing authority's area. For 2004–05, information on levels of, and increases in, billing authority council tax with and without parish precepts, were published on 25 March and are available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website: www.local.odpm.gov.uk/finance/ctax/ctax045.htm.

Mr. Keetch: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average council tax bill for a Band D property in Herefordshire was last year; what it is expected to be in the forthcoming year; what percentage change this represents; and if he will make a statement. [167295]

 
26 Apr 2004 : Column 789W
 

Mr. Raynsford: The average council tax bill for a Band D property in Herefordshire was £1,071 for 2003–04 and is £1,185 for 2004–05. This represents an increase of 10.7 per cent. if the underlying figures are rounded to the nearest penny.

Local Government Reorganisation

Ann Winterton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on progress with stakeholders on   potential arrangements for local government re-organisation. [167340]

Mr. Raynsford: As stated in the House on 10 March 2004, Official Report, column 1524W, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has established a working group to look at the practical implications of reorganisation, the first meeting of which took place on 9 March. Two sub-group meetings have also been held to discuss issues relating to continuity of functions and transfer of assets and liabilities. Meetings of sub-groups to discuss finance and staffing issues are to be held in early May.

Operation Fresco

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what   costs of the Defence Fire Service, incurred during Operation Fresco, were charged to his office's budget. [168077]

Mr. Raynsford: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has agreed to meet the additional costs incurred by the Ministry of Defence in providing emergency fire cover during the firefighters pay dispute, through Operation Fresco. As at 26 March 2004, the Ministry of Defence had informed the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister that the likely total bill for this service would be in the region of £80 million. The Defence Fire Service's costs will fall within that total, but, as my right hon. Friend the Member for East Kilbride (Mr. Ingram) made clear in his answer of 23 February 2004, Official Report, column 8W, these could be provided only as a discrete figure at disproportionate cost.

Torbay Council

Mr. Steen: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he will cap Torbay council in the year 2004–05. [167495]

Mr. Raynsford: When the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister announced the council tax increases for 2004–05 on 25 March, we confirmed that we were ready to use our targeted capping powers if necessary and that we aimed to notify any authorities which might be in line for capping by the end of April. I cannot say in advance which authorities these may be.

Traveller Pitches

Mr. Paice: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what guidance he has issued to (a) planning authorities and (b) the Planning Inspectorate regarding the number of traveller pitches which should be permitted in any specific location; [168453]

(2) what discussions he has had with representatives of gypsies and travellers regarding (a) the size of traveller camps and (b) agreed limits on the maximum number of pitches in any location. [168454]

 
26 Apr 2004 : Column 790W
 

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has issued no specific guidance relating to the size of caravan sites, nor have we had discussions with Gypsies or travellers regarding the size of caravan sites. Planning Policy Guidance note 3 on housing requires local planning authorities to assess the local needs of specific groups across all tenures in their area. Development plans should wherever possible identify locations suitable for Gypsy sites and local authorities must decide planning applications in accordance with development plans unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

CABINET OFFICE

Buckingham Palace Garden Parties

Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office for what reason the nomination form for   garden parties at Buckingham palace excludes Commonwealth citizens resident in the UK from being nominated; and if he will make a statement. [168814]

Mr. Alexander: Different procedures are in place for extending invitations to Commonwealth citizens. Commonwealth citizens who are either visiting or resident in the UK may apply to their respective High Commissions in London who may nominate them for an invitation.

Contingency Planning

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent representations he has received on funding for contingency planning. [166533]

Mr. Alexander: The Cabinet Office continues to be in discussion with representatives of local responder bodies on the funding of their civil protection work. The public consultation on the draft Civil Contingencies Bill specifically asked about funding to support the Bill. The   results of the public consultation exercise were published in January 2004 and copies are available in the Library.

---