§ Patrick MercerTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether the formula used to calculate the civil defence grants include a weight towards coastal councils to mitigate for potential terrorist attack by sea. [170057]
§ Mr. AlexanderThe formula used for the allocation of Civil Defence Grant starts with a flat-rate component that gives each of the 179 eligible local authorities £53,000. For shire counties carrying out emergency planning on behalf of their districts, an additional £12,000 per district is allocated. The remainder of the overall sum (approximately 35 per cent.) is distributed according to each authority's Bellwin threshold.
The formula does not recognise particular risks as the Grant represents a contribution to local authority emergency planning, sufficient to provide a core service. The formula was introduced following the Civil Defence (Grant) Act 2002, and after negotiations with the Local Government Association on its detail.
The Government separately commits substantial sums to counter terrorist activity by departments and front line responders such as the police.