HC Deb 22 April 2004 vol 420 cc641-3W
Bob Spink

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the 10(a) least and (b) most indebted local authorities are. [167063]

Mr. Raynsford

The information requested is as follows:

  • (a) The 10 English local authorities that had the least net debt as at 31 March 2003 are:
  • City of London
  • Barking and Dagenham
  • Basingstoke and Deane
  • Bromley
  • South Oxfordshire
  • St. Edmundsbury
  • Dorset
    • 642W
  • Crawley
  • East Hertfordshire
  • Huntingdonshire
  • (b) The 10 English local authorities that had the most net debt as at 31 March 2003 are:
  • Newham
  • Islington
  • Southwark
  • Kent
  • Lambeth
  • Liverpool
  • Sheffield
  • Leeds
  • Birmingham
  • Manchester.
  • Source:
  • ODPM monthly and quarterly borrowing returns.

It should be noted that authorities with high levels of debt are generally those which have undertaken capital investment. Long-term borrowing to finance capital expenditure was regulated through the issue of credit approvals up until 31 March 2004 and, as from 1 April 2004, is subject to the Prudential System.

Mr. Clifton-Brown

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how the Government intends to change the formula for distribution between authorities of housing revenue account and management and maintenance allowances; and what the sums involved are. [166891]

Keith Hill

Following wide consultation with local authorities and others last year, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister announced changes to the distribution of management and maintenance allowances within HRA subsidy to take effect from April 2004. Full details of each authority's allocation and the new methodology were published on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website on 18 December 2003, as part of the General Determination of Housing Revenue Account Subsidy for 2004–05. We are considering some minor, technical improvements to the new formulae for 2005–06 and will of course consult before introducing any further change.

The changes are purely about distribution and have not made any difference to the total resources available for management and maintenance allowances. Transitional arrangements mean that all authorities will receive at least inflationary increases in their allowances in both 2004–05 and 2005–06, with most receiving more.

Mr. Clifton-Brown

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the latest allocation of Planning Delivery Grant to each local authority and region. [166899]

Keith Hill

The latest allocations of Planning Delivery Grant for 2004–05 has been made available in the Libraries of the House.

Mr. Keetch

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he intends to cap the council tax rise imposed by Herefordshire council; and if he will make a statement. [167293]

Mr. Raynsford

When the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister announced the council tax increases for 2004–05 on 25 March, we confirmed that we were ready to use our targeted capping powers if necessary and that we aimed to notify any authorities which might be in line for capping by the end of April. I cannot say in advance which authorities these may be.