Local Government Finance (Hansard, 26 April 1990)

§ Mr. Steen
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what additional resources will be made available to local authorities when the duty of dealing with stray dogs is transferred from the police to the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the basis of the calculation by his Department as to the additional funds required for local authorities to carry out their duties.

§ Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
No legislation for transferring the duty of dealing with stray dogs from the police to local authorities is currently before Parliament. We remain committed to this proposal however and intend to introduce such legislation at a convenient opportunity. Local authority comments would be sought on the details of any proposed legislation and we would consider at that time any representations they might make on the question of additional resources.

§ Mr. Steen
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what additional resources he will make available to local authorities in order to implement the draft code of practice on litter and refuse as required under the Environmental Protection Bill.

§ Mr. Trippier
It is not yet possible to determine precisely the cost implications for local authorities of meeting the standards of cleanliness described in the draft code of practice on litter and refuse. The draft code is currently the subject of consultation with local authorities and other interested parties. The results of this consultation, together with the report of the management consultants commissioned to undertake a survey of a representative sample of authorities, will be taken into 299W account when we decide what level of revenue support grant will be appropriate for 1991–92 and subsequent years.

§ Mr. Tracey
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether any authorities designated for community charge capping have so far accepted the cap he proposed; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Chris Patten
Camden notified me on 24 April that it accepted the cap. I have today confirmed the figure of £177 million that I originally proposed. Camden must now set its new lower budget which will reduce the bills of Camden charge payers by over £30, which I am sure they will welcome.