§ Mr. Brandon-BravoTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to review agency arrangements between shire counties and their districts in order that districts may give their own priorities to matters including lighting, footpath maintenance, car parking and traffic management.
§ Mr. ChopeThe Department of Transport expects local authorities to consider how to ensure that agency arrangements for highways between counties and districts are put on a more systematic and businesslike footing, in the light of last year's Audit Commission report. The Government have no other plans for a review.
§ Mr. Brandon-BravoTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider transferring powers currently exercised only as agents from shire counties to their districts; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChopeThe Government have no plans for major changes in the responsibilities of county and district councils. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport is, however, considering the proposal in the recent Audit Commission report on improving the condition of local authority roads that the responsibility for street cleansing, grass-cutting and other horticultural work should be transferred to district councils.