Lord Chelwoodasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will summarise the joint arrange-ments made, or about to be made, by the London borough councils and metropolitan district councils in Greater London and the metropolitan counties, showing each separately, in order to ensure that countryside and nature conservation services are continued and improved upon; and what role, at what approximate cost, the residuary bodies are still expected to play.
§ Lord EltonLocal authorities may determine joint arrangements without reference to my department. However, I am aware of the following proposals.
In Greater London, there are proposals by at least 19 borough councils to support a London ecology unit.
In Greater Manchester, all 10 district councils intend to maintain a countryside support unit of some 60 staff, including architects, planners, ecologists, foresters and interpretive staff, to ensure a co-ordinated approach to countryside initiatives in the county.
In Merseyside, Sefton, St. Helens and Knowsley Borough Councils propose joint support for a countryside unit to give advice on countryside, nature conservation and ecology.
In the West Midlands, there are proposals for Birmingham City Council and Sandwell and Walsall 1275WA Borough Councils to continue the Beacon regional park area management project on a regional basis and for Birmingham City Council and Solihull Borough Council to continue Project Kingfisher, a landscape enhancement scheme along the River Colne.
In West Yorkshire, the co-ordinating committee resolved on 14th March to maintain a countryside unit. Precise details of the scope of the unit's work and its organisation are not yet available.
A number of joint working arrangements on a more local scale are also proposed. For example, local authorities in West London and the surrounding area intend to continue the Colne Valley countryside management scheme on a joint basis and are considering proposals for a groundwork trust. In South Yorkshire, joint arrangements are proposed for management of the Rother Valley Country Park with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council in the lead.
Residuary bodies can take on specialist teams if they are asked to or see a need for such action. The London Residuary Body will take on the GLC Scientific Services Branch and has budgeted for £4–7 million gross expenditure for this purpose in 1986–87. The expenditure, of which ecology-related work is only one aspect, will be recovered from charges to London borough councils and other successor authorities.
Lord Chelwoodasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many London boroughs and metropolitan district councils have decided to take part in financing specialised units with expertise in countryside and nature conservation services on a Greater London or metropolitan county basis; how many have refused to do so; and how many have yet to decide.
§ Lord EltonThese are matters which are for local authorities to determine, without reference to my department. However, I understand that 19 London borough councils and about 18 metropolitan district councils (in three counties) have decided to participate in countryside and nature conservation services on a Greater London or county basis. I am not aware of any further proposals currently under consideration.