HC Deb 15 November 1985 vol 86 c310W
Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if Birmingham city council has supplied him with any estimates of the cost to that council of taking over some of the functions of the West Midlands county council following its abolition; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

Birmingham city council has not supplied my Department with any such estimates.

Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy, in determining the rate support grant settlement for 1986–87, to allocate to Birmingham city council an additional amount equivalent to any extra costs incurred as a result of the transfer to it of certain functions previously the responsibility of the West Midlands metropolitan county council; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

In 1986–87, Birmingham city council's grant-related expenditure (GRE) for block grant purposes will include assessments for the services it inherits from the West Midlands county council. Its grant entitlement will be calculated on the basis of this GRE, and the expenditure it incurs on both its existing and inherited spending.