§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment why his Department advised Southend borough council on 8 March (ref: ENV/PS/HAS) that its request for a higher expenditure limit for reinstating 17 Unity homes should be rejected; and what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that the work involved can be completed satisfactorily within the limits set by his Department.
§ Mrs. RoeAlthough each individual limit approved was considerably higher than the national eligible expenditure limit for Unity houses (currently £20,000), the basic repair costs requested by the council were higher than we would have expected, having regard to the extent of the works and the level of building costs in the area. However, following the council's reapplications for two of these properties, containing additional information about unusual works, we were able to issue decisions on 5 April, approving higher figures. If the council wishes to reapply, with further information, for the other 15 properties we shall consider each case again carefully on its merits.
We are currently consulting on proposed revisions to the national expenditure limits for all designated types.