House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 9 Feb 2005 (pt 21)

9 Feb 2005 : Column 1573W—continued

Regional Spatial Strategy (North-East)

9. Mr. Beith: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what role his Department has had in the preparation and approval of the regional spatial strategy for the north-east. [214877]

Mr. Raynsford: The Government Office for the North East, on behalf of the First Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, has provided advice and guidance to the North East Assembly (as Regional Planning Body) during the preparation of the draft Regional Spatial Strategy. This is currently out for consultation, and will be formally submitted to my right hon. Friend in March 2005.

Fire Service (Scotland)

13. Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions his Department has had with Scottish Executive Ministers regarding fire service pay. [214881]

Mr. Raynsford: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has had no such discussions since the June 2003 pay and modernisation agreement was signed, other than to discuss the UK-wide approach to any use of the powers contained in sections 32 and 33 of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004.

9 Feb 2005 : Column 1574W

Area Cost Adjustment

Mr. Michael Foster: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will undertake a review of the methodology used to calculate Area Cost Adjustment. [214873]

Mr. Raynsford: The current Area Cost Adjustment has been in place since 2003–04. While it is generally recognised to be an improvement on the previous arrangements for reflecting additional costs to local government arising from wage differentials, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is aware of the concerns about its impact expressed by some authorities. We will therefore be ready to discuss with local government the case for a review of the ACA alongside other priorities for the forthcoming formulae review.

Consents

Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the consent (a) requests and (b) permissions from local authorities which his Department has (i) accepted and (ii) refused in the most recent full year for which figures are available. [213576]

Mr. Raynsford: A comprehensive review of local authority consent regimes was undertaken by an efficiency scrutiny in 1997. The following table contains the consent requirements identified in the scrutiny which are the responsibility of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The table sets out for those regimes the number of requests made to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for consent, and the number granted, during the financial year 2003–04.

Description Legislative reference Number of requests Number granted

Power to consent to the delegation of housing management to an agent Housing Act 1985 s.27 (as substituted by Housing and Planning Act 1986 s.10 and amended by Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 s.129) 40 36

Powers to consent to the disposal of council-owned housing and housing land; and to consent to local authority assistance for privately let housing Housing Act 1985 s.32; also Local Government Act 1972 s.32, Housing Act 1985 ss.19 and 43 leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993, s.135 Local Government Act 1988 s.25 130 130

Power to approve a variation of the model registration scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation Housing Act 1985 s.346B(4) (as amended by Housing Act 1996 s.65) 3 3

Power to set statutory upper limits on Defective Housing grants, but also to relax those limits in certain circumstances Housing Act 1985, s.543(4) (as amended by s166 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989)—The Housing Defects (Expenditure Limits) Order 1992 (SI 1992 No.446) 0 0

Relates to the application of additional conditions for housing renewal and disabled facilities grants, and to alter the 'required proportion' of flats in a block in order to qualify for a common parts grant Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 s.34(6)(b) and s.14(3)(b) 0 0

Relates to non-recovery of housing renewal grants on a relevant disposal, and to imposition of conditions, including requiring pursuit of other compensation, on housing renewal and disabled facilities grants Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, ss.45(4), 46(4), 47(4), s.51(l) and s.52(l) 2 2

Approval of various arrangements relating to group repair schemes Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, s.63(l) and s.68(2) 0 0

Control over Areas of Special Control of Advertisements (ASCAs) Town and County Planning Act 1990 ss.220, 221, 223(1), 224(3) and 331(1). Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992 (SI 1992 No. 666) Reg. 18 as amended by Town and Country Planning Act (Control of Advertisements) Amendment Regulations 1994 (SI 1994 No. 2351) 2 2

Preparing proposals for the alteration or the replacement of a development plan, if it or any part of it has been previously approved by the Secretary of State Town and Country Planning Act 1990, ss.21(1B), 32(3), and 39(3) (as amended by Planning and Compensation Act 1991). Town and Country Planning Act (Development Plan) Regulations, 1991 0 0

Three powers to confirm various orders revoking, modifying or otherwise affecting planning permissions or existing uses of land or existing buildings or works Town and Country Planning Act 1990, ss. 94, 95, 97, 98 and 102 31 23

Requirement on local authorities to obtain Secretary of State's confirmation of orders revoking or modifying previous consents granted under tree preservation orders Third schedule of the model form of tree preservation order in Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation Order) Regulations 1969 0 0

A power to consent to capitalisation of redundancy costs Local Government and Housing Act 1989 s.40(6) 44 40

Provision by local authorities of advice and assistance to overseas bodies (s.l(3) Local Government (Overseas Assistance) Act 1993) Local Government (Overseas Assistance) Act 1993, s.1(3) 0 0

Disposal of land at less than best consideration Local Government Act 1972, s.123 and 127 Town and Country Planning Act 1990, s.233 4 4

A power to consent to the sale or appropriation of statutory allotment land, or its use for other purposes Allotments Act 1925 s.8 45 20

Reductions in a Fire Authority's establishment scheme Fire Services Act 1947, s.19(4) as amended by Fire Services Act 1959 9 9

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Description	Legislative reference	Number of requests	Number granted
Power to consent to the delegation of housing management to an agent	Housing Act 1985 s.27 (as substituted by Housing and Planning Act 1986 s.10 and amended by Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 s.129)	40	36

Powers to consent to the disposal of council-owned housing and housing land; and to consent to local authority assistance for privately let housing	Housing Act 1985 s.32; also Local Government Act 1972 s.32, Housing Act 1985 ss.19 and 43 leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993, s.135 Local Government Act 1988 s.25	130	130

Power to approve a variation of the model registration scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation	Housing Act 1985 s.346B(4) (as amended by Housing Act 1996 s.65)	3	3

Power to set statutory upper limits on Defective Housing grants, but also to relax those limits in certain circumstances	Housing Act 1985, s.543(4) (as amended by s166 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989)—The Housing Defects (Expenditure Limits) Order 1992 (SI 1992 No.446)	0	0

Relates to the application of additional conditions for housing renewal and disabled facilities grants, and to alter the 'required proportion' of flats in a block in order to qualify for a common parts grant	Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 s.34(6)(b) and s.14(3)(b)	0	0

Relates to non-recovery of housing renewal grants on a relevant disposal, and to imposition of conditions, including requiring pursuit of other compensation, on housing renewal and disabled facilities grants	Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, ss.45(4), 46(4), 47(4), s.51(l) and s.52(l)	2	2

Approval of various arrangements relating to group repair schemes	Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, s.63(l) and s.68(2)	0	0
Control over Areas of Special Control of Advertisements (ASCAs)	Town and County Planning Act 1990 ss.220, 221, 223(1), 224(3) and 331(1). Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992 (SI 1992 No. 666) Reg. 18 as amended by Town and Country Planning Act (Control of Advertisements) Amendment Regulations 1994 (SI 1994 No. 2351)	2	2

Preparing proposals for the alteration or the replacement of a development plan, if it or any part of it has been previously approved by the Secretary of State	Town and Country Planning Act 1990, ss.21(1B), 32(3), and 39(3) (as amended by Planning and Compensation Act 1991). Town and Country Planning Act (Development Plan) Regulations, 1991	0	0

Three powers to confirm various orders revoking, modifying or otherwise affecting planning permissions or existing uses of land or existing buildings or works	Town and Country Planning Act 1990, ss. 94, 95, 97, 98 and 102	31	23

Requirement on local authorities to obtain Secretary of State's confirmation of orders revoking or modifying previous consents granted under tree preservation orders	Third schedule of the model form of tree preservation order in Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation Order) Regulations 1969	0	0

A power to consent to capitalisation of redundancy costs	Local Government and Housing Act 1989 s.40(6)	44	40

Provision by local authorities of advice and assistance to overseas bodies (s.l(3) Local Government (Overseas Assistance) Act 1993)	Local Government (Overseas Assistance) Act 1993, s.1(3)	0	0

Disposal of land at less than best consideration	Local Government Act 1972, s.123 and 127 Town and Country Planning Act 1990, s.233	4	4

A power to consent to the sale or appropriation of statutory allotment land, or its use for other purposes	Allotments Act 1925 s.8	45	20

Reductions in a Fire Authority's establishment scheme	Fire Services Act 1947, s.19(4) as amended by Fire Services Act 1959	9	9

Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to change the consent regimes that regulate the activities of local government. [213577]

Mr. Raynsford: As part of the Government's commitment to reduce bureaucracy for local

9 Feb 2005 : Column 1576W

authorities, we announced in 2002 a programme to deregulate 86 consent powers. We have identified further regimes since then where deregulation is planned to take place. We have so far deregulated 63 powers and have plans to deregulate a further 28. Listed as follows are the consent regimes which Government have plans to deregulate:

Description Legislative reference Number of powers

Amalgamation of hackney carriage licence zones Local Government Act 1972, schedule 14 para. 25(4) 1

Approval of LEA's complaints procedure Education Act 1996, s.409 and paragraph 6(3) of schedule 1 2

Instituting prosecutions for publishing certain advertisements concerning cancer treatment Cancer Act 1939, s.4(6) 1

Provision by local authorities of advice and assistance to overseas bodies (s.1(3) Local Government (Overseas Bodies) Act 1993) Local Government (Overseas Bodies) Act 1993, s.l (3) 1

Certain minority interests in certain companies. s.71(2) Local Government and Housing Act 1989 Local Government and Housing Act 1989, s.71(2) 1

Approval of aspects of the registration service Registration Service Act 1953, s.8(l) 3

Registration Service Act 1953, s.10

Registration Service Act 1953, s.14(4)

Fixing traffic signs not specified in regulations Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984 s.65 (as amended by sch. 8 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991) 1

Restricting vehicle access in London City of London Various Powers Act 1963 s.33 1

Provision and declaration of walkways in London City of London Various Powers Act 1967 s.6 and Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1969 s.11 2

Extending experimental Traffic Regulation Orders in London Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, s.9 1

Extension of temporary orders Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, s.l5 1

Provision of off-street parking for over 12 months on land compulsorily acquired for another purpose Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, s.40(3) 1

Special events order Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, s.16B (inserted by Road Traffic (Special Events) Act 1994) 1

Stopping or diverting highways in connection with development/amenity improvement Town and Country Planning Act 1990, s.247, 248 and 249 2

Determine an inter-authority dispute over a permanent border Local Government Act 1985, s.5 1

Traffic Regulation Orders limiting vehicle access to premises and stopping up private access Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, sch.9(13–14) 2

Highways Act 1980, ss. 124–125

Approval of the appointment of Coroners within Greater London, Metropolitan Counties and Berkshire Coroners Act 1988, s.1(2) 1

Appoint medical referees and deputies as nominated by cremation authorities Cremation Regulations 1930, reg. 10 1

A power to approve the alteration of Coroner's district boundaries Coroners Act 1988 s.4(2) 1

Coroners (Orders as to Districts) Rules 1927

Notification of agricultural operations on moor and heath in National Parks (to secure a temporary stopping order) Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, s.42 1

Powers to consent to the disposal of council-owned housing and housing land; and to consent to local authority assistance for privately let housing Housing Act 1985 s.32; also Local Government Act 1972 s.132, Housing Act 1985 ss.19 and 43, Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 s.129 2

Local Government Act 1988 s.25

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Description	Legislative reference	Number of powers
Amalgamation of hackney carriage licence zones	Local Government Act 1972, schedule 14 para. 25(4)	1

Approval of LEA's complaints procedure	Education Act 1996, s.409 and paragraph 6(3) of schedule 1	2

Instituting prosecutions for publishing certain advertisements concerning cancer treatment	Cancer Act 1939, s.4(6)	1

Provision by local authorities of advice and assistance to overseas bodies (s.1(3) Local Government (Overseas Bodies) Act 1993)	Local Government (Overseas Bodies) Act 1993, s.l (3)	1

Certain minority interests in certain companies. s.71(2) Local Government and Housing Act 1989	Local Government and Housing Act 1989, s.71(2)	1

Approval of aspects of the registration service	Registration Service Act 1953, s.8(l)	3
	Registration Service Act 1953, s.10
	Registration Service Act 1953, s.14(4)

Fixing traffic signs not specified in regulations	Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984 s.65 (as amended by sch. 8 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991)	1

Restricting vehicle access in London	City of London Various Powers Act 1963 s.33	1

Provision and declaration of walkways in London	City of London Various Powers Act 1967 s.6 and Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1969 s.11	2

Extending experimental Traffic Regulation Orders in London	Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, s.9	1

Extension of temporary orders	Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, s.l5	1

Provision of off-street parking for over 12 months on land compulsorily acquired for another purpose	Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, s.40(3)	1

Special events order	Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, s.16B (inserted by Road Traffic (Special Events) Act 1994)	1

Stopping or diverting highways in connection with development/amenity improvement	Town and Country Planning Act 1990, s.247, 248 and 249	2

Determine an inter-authority dispute over a permanent border	Local Government Act 1985, s.5	1

Traffic Regulation Orders limiting vehicle access to premises and stopping up private access	Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, sch.9(13–14)	2
	Highways Act 1980, ss. 124–125

Approval of the appointment of Coroners within Greater London, Metropolitan Counties and Berkshire	Coroners Act 1988, s.1(2)	1

Appoint medical referees and deputies as nominated by cremation authorities	Cremation Regulations 1930, reg. 10	1

A power to approve the alteration of Coroner's district boundaries	Coroners Act 1988 s.4(2)	1
	Coroners (Orders as to Districts) Rules 1927

Notification of agricultural operations on moor and heath in National Parks (to secure a temporary stopping order)	Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, s.42	1

Powers to consent to the disposal of council-owned housing and housing land; and to consent to local authority assistance for privately let housing	Housing Act 1985 s.32; also Local Government Act 1972 s.132, Housing Act 1985 ss.19 and 43, Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 s.129	2
	Local Government Act 1988 s.25