HC Deb 28 March 1979 vol 965 cc239-40W
Mr. Ginsberg

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the local authority associations about the proposals on value for money contained in the Green Paper on local government finance, Cmnd. 6813 and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Shore

As my hon. Friend will know, I announced on 16 May 1978 the Government's intention to set up a body to be known as the Advisory Committee on Local Government Audit with the following terms of reference:

  1. (i) to consider the annual report of the Chief Inspector of Audit and any questions arising from it which are of general public interest or concern, whether in the field of value for money or otherwise; and to make general recommendations to local authorities and to central government as it thinks fit; and
  2. (ii) to invite information and submissions on comparative and other value for money studies from local authorities and their Associations and from other agencies concerned; and in the light of this and other information to advise on the need for such studies and arrangements for carrying them out.

I have now completed discussions about the membership which will be as follows.

The chairman of the Committee will be Mr. Brian Maynard, a past president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

The members will be:

  • Mr. J. Besserman—Former Secretary of Coventry City Council. President of NALGO, 1972–73.
  • Mr. D. Cobbold—Leader of Westminster city council and chairman of the London Boroughs' Association general purposes committee.
  • Sir Duncan Lock—Chairman of the Association of District Councils and Member of Beaconsfield district council.
  • Sir Frank Marshall—Formerly leader and chairman of the Finance Committee of Leeds city council.
  • Mr. H. T. Norrington—General manager of the north-west region of Barclays Bank.
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  • Mr. R. Shaw—Leader of Camden borough council. Member of the Transport Users' Consultative Committee.
  • Sir Maurice Sutherland—Leader of the Labour group on Cleveland county council and chairman of the Northern Economic Planning Council.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales will announce the name of his appointee shortly.

Following my exchanges with the local authority associations and other interested bodies, my right hon. and learned Friend and I are happy to announce these appointments. We are convinced that this committee can make a major contribution to our knowledge in this field and that its reports will be of interest to elected member and ratepayer alike.