HC Deb 17 July 1985 vol 83 c185W
25. Mr. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the cost to Fife ratepayers of the expenditure in excess of guidelines by Fife regional council.

Mr. Ancram

The rate set by Fife regional council for 1985–86 includes 8.1p in respect of the council's budgeted excess over guidelines and provision for a grant penalty in 1985–86 and a deficit carried forward from 1984–85 resulting from the grant penalty for overspending in that year. This amounts to some £14.72 million of rate income and is costing the average domestic ratepayer in Fife almost £50.