WEST YORKSHIRE RESIDUARY BODY (Hansard, 27 March 1991)

§ Baroness Blatch

The West Yorkshire Residuary Body will formally be dissolved on 31st March 1991 by an order made under Section 67 of the Local Government Act 1985. The order transfers the remainder of the residuary body's property, functions, rights and liabilities to successor authorities. The residuary body's final report and accounts will be laid before Parliament in due course.

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During the five years since abolition the record of the residuary body has been impressive. It inherited well over 25,000 property interests, as well as numerous other complex rights and liabilities from the former West Yorkshire Metropolitan County Council. In identifying property which was surplus and successfully bringing it on to the market it showed how unused and underused public assets can be released. As a result the body has been able to distribute to the West Yorkshire districts some £50 million from surplus property sales and revenue balances for the benefit of the local chargepayers. This is a remarkable achievement and much credit goes to all concerned for a job well done. I wish to pay tribute to the Chairman, Sir Tom McDonald, the board members and staff for the part they have played in this highly successful operation.

All six metropolitan residuary bodies have now completed their work. This effectively draws to a close a chapter of local government re-organisation.