HC Deb 29 April 2002 vol 384 cc554-5W
Sir Michael Spicer

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will ensure that local authorities covering the Malvern Hills receive support grants on the same basis as that received by the unitary authority of Herefordshire. [52975]

Dr. Whitehead

We are working with local government to develop options for fairer and more intelligible grant distribution formulae. In distributing grant, the new system will take into account the differing circumstances faced by local authorities, and their differing responsibilities. We cannot say now whether any particular authority or group of authorities will gain or lose from the new system. We will be consulting on options over the summer and will consider the views put to us when we come to take decisions.

Mrs. Brooke

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure that the new grant formula that will replace the SSA will(a) be improved and (b) address the needs of all classes of authority. [52469]

Dr. Whitehead

We are working with local government to develop options for fairer and more intelligible grant distribution formulae. But if there are to be winners there must also be relative losers, since the formulae will distribute the fixed pot of resources made available by the spending review. We cannot say now whether any particular class of authority will gain or lose from the new system, but we will consult on options over the summer and will consider the responses when we come to take decisions.

Mrs. Brooke

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps he will take to ensure that the new finance system for local authorities provides an effective framework within which councils can initiate new and innovative ways of delivering customer-focused services and lead their communities. [52468]

Dr. Whitehead

Our comprehensive agenda for reform of the local government finance system was set out in last December's White Paper "Strong Local leadership—Quality Public Services". Our finance reforms will give councils more space to innovate and respond in ways that are appropriate to local circumstances by providing local authorities with greater freedom to borrow, invest, trade, charge and set spending priorities. Our White Paper implementation plan is available on the DTLR website at http://www.dtlr.gov.uk/local-regions/sll/implement/plan/index.htm.