§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of, and what representations he received on, the spending needs of Islington Council prior to the rate support grant announcement for 1999–2000. [73165]
§ Ms ArmstrongWe looked carefully at the pressures and burdens on all local authorities and the scope for further efficiency savings, taking into account the views of the Local Government Association, when considering the level of provision for local government over the next three years, as set out in the Comprehensive Spending Review. We also looked in detail with local authorities at the distribution of grant to continue our aim of providing a fairer distribution of resources. We consulted local authorities during December and early January on the local government finance settlement 1999–2000 which was approved by Parliament on 4 February. Islington Council did not comment on our proposals during that consultation.