§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to end the capping of local authority spending. [12009]
§ Mr. RaynsfordWe remain committed to the abolition of crude and universal capping as soon as possible. We are now working on a wide range of proposals to improve local accountability which will allow us to fulfil this commitment.
§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has(a) to exclude supplementary credit approvals under the Local Government Finance (Supplementary Credit Approval) Bill from capping rates and (b) to allow SCAs to be used in respect of private housing stock. [12010]
§ Mr. RaynsfordMinisters have yet to take decisions on capping arrangements for 1998–99. We anticipate making an announcement later in the year.
Guidance to local authorities on expenditure under the capital receipts initiative was issued on 2 October. This sets out how the additional resources released under the initiative can be applied. In the first instance, it will be for individual local authorities to identify local needs and priorities and to draw up strategies to tackle them. Where private sector renewal is such a priority, capital receipts initiative resources will be available to support remedial works.