§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what funds were given to the Highland Council for decentralisation; how these funds were bid for; if other new unitary councils were invited to bid for funds for decentralisation; and if he will make a statement. [3493]
§ Mr. KynochThe shadow Highland council has been given a capital allocation of £275,000 towards its accommodation needs arising from local government reorganisation. These resources are intended to enable the council to provide public access facilities in remote communities and will also assist the council to maximise the effective use of existing property.
All shadow unitary authorities were invited to submit bids in respect of their accommodation needs arising from reorganisation and capital allocations of around £9 million have now been given to 21 shadow authorities and the Strathclyde police board. No restrictions were placed on the scope of bids and decisions on allocations were taken on the basis of the relative needs of individual councils, within the limits of the available resources.