House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 6 Jun 2005 (pt 48)

6 Jun 2005 : Column 404W—continued

Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder

Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the (a) financial allocation and (b) out-turn expenditure of each of the Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder areas in England was in 2004–05. [732]

Yvette Cooper: The details of the financial allocation and actual out-turn for Market Renewal Pathfinders for 2004–05 are set out in the following table:
2004–05 £ million

Pathfinder Allocation Outturn

Urban Living (Birmingham Sandwell) 14.850 13.649

Elevate (East Lancashire) 22.840 22.840

Hull and East Riding 2.640 2.640

Manchester Salford 44.000 44.000

Newheartlands (Merseyside) 34.350 34.350

Bridging NewcastleGateshead 28.000 28.000

Renew (North Staffordshire) 7.000 7.000

Oldham and Rochdale 17.150 17.150

Transform South Yorkshire 27.400 27.400

Pathfinder	Allocation	Outturn
Urban Living (Birmingham Sandwell)	14.850	13.649
Elevate (East Lancashire)	22.840	22.840
Hull and East Riding	2.640	2.640
Manchester Salford	44.000	44.000
Newheartlands (Merseyside)	34.350	34.350
Bridging NewcastleGateshead	28.000	28.000
Renew (North Staffordshire)	7.000	7.000
Oldham and Rochdale	17.150	17.150
Transform South Yorkshire	27.400	27.400

Local Government Finance

Mr. Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what safeguards his Department (a) recommends to and (b) imposes upon local authorities to ensure probity and transparency when publicly-owned assets are sold. [1345]

Mr. Woolas: Asset management guidance for local authorities is non-statutory and sets out in broad terms features of good management of assets. It does not cover issues of probity and transparency as authorities have an obligation to ensure that financial transactions comply with the law. Ultimately questions of probity in financial transactions are a matter for the District Auditor.

Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the (a) specific grants and ringfenced funding streams, (b) special grants and (c) non-ringfenced grants which the Government (i) allocated to local authorities in 2004–05 and (ii) expects to allocate in 2005–06. [1114]

Mr. Woolas: The following table lists all grants allocated to local authorities in England in 2004–05 and grants allocated so far in 2005–06 within Aggregate External Finance (AEF) in addition to Revenue Support Grant and National Non-Domestic Rates. There are other grants outside AEF but these are not provided for an authority's core services and relate, in the main, to areas of funding which are passed on by local authorities, such as Learning and Skills Council grants for adult education and sixth forms.

6 Jun 2005 : Column 405W

Amount (£ million)

Grant 2004–05 2005–06 Ringfenced

Grants made under section 31 of the Local Government Act 2003

Excellence in Cities 260.6 355.3 No

Excellent and 3⁽⁵⁰⁾ Education 30.5 50.1 No

Teachers Pay Reform 0.0 908.4 No

Choice Protects 33.0 60.0 Yes

Adoption Support and Special Guardianship 23.0 32.0 Yes

Safeguarding Children 90.0 90.0 No

Teenage Pregnancy Local Implementation 32.4 32.4 Yes

Change Fund 7.0 8.0 No

Waste Re-cycling Challenge 90.0 45.0 Yes

Waste Targeted Grant 20.0 0.0 No

Waste Performance and Efficiency Pt. 1 0.0 40.0 No

Waste Performance and Efficiency Pt. 2 0.0 5.0 Yes

Fire Transitional Funding 28.3 0.0 Yes

Fire Pay Verification 0.8 0.0 Yes

New Dimension Crewing 0.0 16.0 No

LFEPA Civil Contingencies 0.0 0.6 No

Planning Delivery 130.0 116.0 No

Planning Delivery (Capital) 32.5 39.0 No

Supporting People Administration 48.1 40.0 No

Rural Bus Subsidy 51.0 53.0 No

Homelessness Strategies 45.4 42.9 No

Homelessness Strategies (Capital) 14.0 0.0 No

Private Finance Initiative 429.0 425.0 No

Neighbourhood Renewal Fund 450.0 525.0 No

LPSA Reward Grant⁽⁵⁰⁾ 101.0 196.0 No

LPSA Reward Grant (Capital)⁽⁵⁰⁾ 126.0 233.0 No

Arson Control Forum 4.3 4.2 No

Community Fire Safety Innovation Fund 1.5 2.0 No

Home Fire Risk Check (Capital) 5.0 5.0 No

Grants made under other specific powers

Standards Fund (excluding Excellent/3⁽⁵⁰⁾) 1,316.0 1,402.7 Yes

Sure Start General Grant 363.5 446.1 Yes

Sure Start General Grant (Capital) 40.1 306.5 Yes

Teachers' Pay Reform 825.6 0.0 Yes

Leadership Incentive 195.9 202.1 Yes

Education Action Zones 37.4 0.0 Yes

Transitional Support 121.5 60.9 Yes

School Standards 859.1 912.0 n/a

UASC Leaving Care 12.0 12.0 Yes

Carers Grant 125.0 185.0 No

Training Support 53.3 0.0 No

Improving Information Management (Capital) 25.0 25.0 Yes

National Training Strategy 31.0 87.9 No

Preserved Rights 458.3 348.2 No

Residential Allowance 409.5 214.5 No

Treatment Foster Care 3.0 3.0 Yes

Children's Trusts 3.2 3.2 Yes

Regional Development Workers 1.0 1.0 Yes

Human Resources Development Strategy 23.9 59.8 No

Access and Systems Capacity 486.0 584.0 No

Children and Adolescent Mental Health 64.0 84.8 Yes

Young People's Substance Misuse Planning 4.5 4.5 Yes

Mental Health 133.0 132.0 Yes

AIDS Support 16.5 16.5 Yes

Delayed Discharge 100.0 100.0 No

Police Grant 4,167.9 4,352.6 No

Police Grant (Capital) 270.0 272.0 No

Crime Fighting Fund 267.0 265.1 Yes

Rural Policing Fund 26.0 25.6 No

Neighbourhood Policing Fund 12.0 33.9 Yes

Occupational Health 4.7 4.0 No

Police Negotiating Board 48.0 66.0 Yes

DNA 50.0 43.6 Yes

Basic Command Units 48.0 47.7 Yes

London and South East Allowances 49.0 55.0 No

London Travel 3.0 3.0 No

Community Support Officers 39.0 47.0 Yes

Special Constables 6.6 0.0 Yes

Street Crime Initiative 25.0 5.0 Yes

Reform Deal 4.7 4.0 Yes

Neighbourhood Wardens 19.0 8.1 Yes

Supporting People 1,807.0 1,714.9 Yes

Magistrates Courts 371.9 0.0 No

Detrunking 33.3 37.0 No

Bus Challenge and Kickstart 32.7 29.0 Yes

Beacons 5.0 5.0 No

Community Cohesion Pathfinder 0.4 0.0 Yes

GLA General Grant 36.3 37.5 No

⁽⁵⁰⁾LPSA Reward Grant—this is the maximum provision as specified in individual councils LPSAs, and allocations" will depend on performance.

6 Jun 2005 : Column 407W

Grant	2004–05	2005–06	Ringfenced
Grants made under section 31 of the Local Government Act 2003
Excellence in Cities	260.6	355.3	No
Excellent and 3⁽⁵⁰⁾ Education	30.5	50.1	No
Teachers Pay Reform	0.0	908.4	No
Choice Protects	33.0	60.0	Yes
Adoption Support and Special Guardianship	23.0	32.0	Yes
Safeguarding Children	90.0	90.0	No
Teenage Pregnancy Local Implementation	32.4	32.4	Yes
Change Fund	7.0	8.0	No
Waste Re-cycling Challenge	90.0	45.0	Yes
Waste Targeted Grant	20.0	0.0	No
Waste Performance and Efficiency Pt. 1	0.0	40.0	No
Waste Performance and Efficiency Pt. 2	0.0	5.0	Yes
Fire Transitional Funding	28.3	0.0	Yes
Fire Pay Verification	0.8	0.0	Yes
New Dimension Crewing	0.0	16.0	No
LFEPA Civil Contingencies	0.0	0.6	No
Planning Delivery	130.0	116.0	No
Planning Delivery (Capital)	32.5	39.0	No
Supporting People Administration	48.1	40.0	No
Rural Bus Subsidy	51.0	53.0	No
Homelessness Strategies	45.4	42.9	No
Homelessness Strategies (Capital)	14.0	0.0	No
Private Finance Initiative	429.0	425.0	No
Neighbourhood Renewal Fund	450.0	525.0	No
LPSA Reward Grant⁽⁵⁰⁾	101.0	196.0	No
LPSA Reward Grant (Capital)⁽⁵⁰⁾	126.0	233.0	No
Arson Control Forum	4.3	4.2	No
Community Fire Safety Innovation Fund	1.5	2.0	No
Home Fire Risk Check (Capital)	5.0	5.0	No
Grants made under other specific powers
Standards Fund (excluding Excellent/3⁽⁵⁰⁾)	1,316.0	1,402.7	Yes
Sure Start General Grant	363.5	446.1	Yes
Sure Start General Grant (Capital)	40.1	306.5	Yes
Teachers' Pay Reform	825.6	0.0	Yes
Leadership Incentive	195.9	202.1	Yes
Education Action Zones	37.4	0.0	Yes
Transitional Support	121.5	60.9	Yes
School Standards	859.1	912.0	n/a
UASC Leaving Care	12.0	12.0	Yes
Carers Grant	125.0	185.0	No
Training Support	53.3	0.0	No
Improving Information Management (Capital)	25.0	25.0	Yes
National Training Strategy	31.0	87.9	No
Preserved Rights	458.3	348.2	No
Residential Allowance	409.5	214.5	No
Treatment Foster Care	3.0	3.0	Yes
Children's Trusts	3.2	3.2	Yes
Regional Development Workers	1.0	1.0	Yes
Human Resources Development Strategy	23.9	59.8	No
Access and Systems Capacity	486.0	584.0	No
Children and Adolescent Mental Health	64.0	84.8	Yes
Young People's Substance Misuse Planning	4.5	4.5	Yes
Mental Health	133.0	132.0	Yes
AIDS Support	16.5	16.5	Yes
Delayed Discharge	100.0	100.0	No
Police Grant	4,167.9	4,352.6	No
Police Grant (Capital)	270.0	272.0	No
Crime Fighting Fund	267.0	265.1	Yes
Rural Policing Fund	26.0	25.6	No
Neighbourhood Policing Fund	12.0	33.9	Yes
Occupational Health	4.7	4.0	No
Police Negotiating Board	48.0	66.0	Yes
DNA	50.0	43.6	Yes
Basic Command Units	48.0	47.7	Yes
London and South East Allowances	49.0	55.0	No
London Travel	3.0	3.0	No
Community Support Officers	39.0	47.0	Yes
Special Constables	6.6	0.0	Yes
Street Crime Initiative	25.0	5.0	Yes
Reform Deal	4.7	4.0	Yes
Neighbourhood Wardens	19.0	8.1	Yes
Supporting People	1,807.0	1,714.9	Yes
Magistrates Courts	371.9	0.0	No
Detrunking	33.3	37.0	No
Bus Challenge and Kickstart	32.7	29.0	Yes
Beacons	5.0	5.0	No
Community Cohesion Pathfinder	0.4	0.0	Yes
GLA General Grant	36.3	37.5	No

Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average change in total Government grant per capita for (a) district councils, (b) county councils, (c) metropolitan councils, (d) unitary councils,

6 Jun 2005 : Column 408W

(e) London boroughs, (f) fire authorities and (g) police authorities was in England in each year since 1997. [1118]

Mr. Woolas: The information requested is shown in the table.
Percentage

1998–99
to 1999–2000 1999–2000
to 2000–01 2000–02
to 2001–02 2001–02
to 2002–03 2002–03
to 2003–04 2003–04
to 2004–05

London (excluding GLA) 6.0 6.7 4.4 4.7 12.3 2.4

Metropolitan authorities 7.3 7.7 7.2 5.6 16.1 2.3

Unitary authorities 6.5 8.1 6.3 6.3 16.5 0.3

Shire counties 6.2 8.7 7.1 4.8 13.0 2.8

Shire districts 1.8 3.1 4.5 5.1 10.7 8.5

Fire authorities 3.6 2.3 3.0 2.4 4.5 42.8

Police authorities 2.3 4.5 6.0 2.4 7.3 2.3

	1998–99 to 1999–2000	1999–2000 to 2000–01	2000–02 to 2001–02	2001–02 to 2002–03	2002–03 to 2003–04	2003–04 to 2004–05
London (excluding GLA)	6.0	6.7	4.4	4.7	12.3	2.4
Metropolitan authorities	7.3	7.7	7.2	5.6	16.1	2.3
Unitary authorities	6.5	8.1	6.3	6.3	16.5	0.3
Shire counties	6.2	8.7	7.1	4.8	13.0	2.8
Shire districts	1.8	3.1	4.5	5.1	10.7	8.5
Fire authorities	3.6	2.3	3.0	2.4	4.5	42.8
Police authorities	2.3	4.5	6.0	2.4	7.3	2.3

The data used to calculate the changes are taken from data as reported by local authorities; they are outturn figures for 1998–99 to 2003–04 and budget estimates for 2004–05.

Changes between years may not be valid due to changing local authority responsibilities. For example, the decrease for fire authorities between 2003–04 and 2004–05 is due partly to the lower levels of grant per capita received by combined fire authorities compared with other fire authorities. Before 2004–05 grants were not paid directly to combined fire authorities and so these were not included in the figures for earlier years.

Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to increase the level of local taxation. [1123]

Mr. Woolas: The level of the council tax in the coming financial years will depend on local authorities' spending decisions. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will work to ensure that improved local services are deliverable within the spending plans for local government. The Government will not hesitate to use the capping powers to deal with excessive increases.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is committed to supporting local authorities in delivering improvements in key public services without unacceptable council tax rises. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will continue to work closely with local government to ensure that levels of central grant are based on a realistic assessment of service commitments pressures faced by local government. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is looking to local authorities to deliver further efficiency savings, and will introduce three-year settlements to provide greater predictability for local authorities.

In the longer term, the Lyons Inquiry is looking to reform the system of local government finance to make it fairer and more sustainable.

Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans the Government have to introduce unitary local government in England. [362]

Mr. Woolas: At present there are no plans to reorganise local government in England—the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is however aware that there is some interest in unitary local government and will listen carefully to the debate.

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