§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how the grant-related expenditure assessment base to standard spending assessment introduction has affected efficient distribution of resources; and how this has been investigated.
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe SSA system is under constant review. Each year the SSA formulae and their implications for authorities are approved by Parliament. This follows a process of extensive discussion with local authority representatives. It was the intention in moving to SSAs that they should be easier to understand but no less fair than GREAs. It would be difficult for any investigation to establish whether this has led to a change in the efficiency with which resources are distributed—none has been carried out with this aim in view. The Audit Commission is at present carrying out a study of SSAs. As soon as its report is available we will consider it carefully.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment from what date the 1991 census results will be used for all standard spending assessments; and what transitional arrangements will be introduced for authorities with major changes.
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe detailed results of the 1991 census will be incorporated, as appropriate, into the calculation of the standard spending assessments for 1994–95. The need for transitional arrangements will be considered when these assessments become available in the autumn.
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§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total level of capital receipts received by each local authority in England in the financial year 1991–92.
§ Mr. MacleanLocal authorities provide returns to the Department giving the capital receipts they received in 1991–92 and the receipts they are forecasting to receive in 1992–93. I have arranged for this information to be placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will undertake an independent analysis of standard spending assessments for the purpose of identifying local authority spending requirements.
§ Mr. Robin SquireStandard spending assessments already reflect detailed research evidence from a wide range of sources, both within and outside Government, as well as extensive discussions with local authority representatives over a number of years. They are updated and refined to take on board new data and evidence every year. The Audit Commission is currently engaged in a special study of standard spending assessments. We shall study carefully its findings and recommendations once these are available.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the lowest shire county standard spending assessment as a proportion of the highest shire county SSA; and what is the lowest metropolitan authority SSA as a proportion of the highest metropolitan authority SSA.
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe information is as follows:
1993–94 provisional standard spending assessments: £ million Shire counties Highest SSA Kent 963.077 Lowest SSA Isle of Wight 77.498 Lowest as proportion of highest 0.080 Metropolitan districts Highest SSA Birmingham 879.076 Lowest SSA Bury 104.766 Lowest as proportion of highest 0.119 A major factor affecting all standard spending assessments is the underlying population of the authority concerned.