HC Deb 25 February 1991 vol 186 cc324-5W
Mr. David Porter

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment by how much he expects the 1991–92 community charge in Waveney to be increased from last year to take account of defaulters in 1990–91; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Key

Authorities should have as their aim the collection of 100 per cent. of the charges due to them, and we have provided them with extensive enforcement powers. It is for individual charging authorities, when setting their charges, to decide to what extent to make provision for arrears which they consider are likely to be ultimately uncollectable.

Mr. David Porter

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many community charge payers in Waveney he expects will benefit from all the relief schemes in 1991–92; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Key

This information is not yet available. However, if Waveney borough council sets its community charge next year at or above £350, a couple who have not moved since 31 March 1990 living in a property of half average rateable value could look forward to a reduction of £395 between them.

Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the effect that the community charge reduction scheme will have upon Congleton borough council and its charge payers.

Mr. Key

No information is yet available on the numbers of people in each charging authority area who will benefit from a reduction. However, if Congleton borough council sets its community charge next year at or above £388, a couple who have not moved since 31 March 1990 living in a property of half average rateable value could look forward to a reduction of £398 between them.

Mr. David Porter

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure that community charge payers in Waveney in 1991–92 are not penalised by non-payers in 1990–91; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Key

From 1 April 1990 local authorities were given widened and strengthened enforcement powers which we would expect them to use to minimise the amount of unpaid charges.

Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what level of grant is to be paid by central Government to the Congleton borough council in the coming financial year; and what were the amounts paid in each of the previous five years for which figures are available taking into account any relevant changes in local authority responsibilities.

Mr. Key

The following amounts of grant were paid to Congleton borough council or are due to be paid:

Year Amount £
Rate Support Grant
1986–87 1,087,274.00
1987–88 883,317.00
1988–89 710,635.00
1989–90 619,947.00

Year Amount £
Revenue Support Grant
1990–91 9,277,645.00
1991–92 8,348,987.00

The figures for 1990–91 onwards are not comparable with previous years since the grant is now paid into the collection fund on which Cheshire county council is entitled to precept.

Revenue support grant like rate support grant is not paid in support of particular services and it is not possible to adjust the above figures for any changes in local authority responsibilities.

Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what percentage of domestic properties for which rates were due domestic rates were not paid in the Chelmsford local authority area in the latest available financial year prior to 31 March 1990.

Mr. Robert Key

No information is collected centrally on the percentage of domestic properties for which rates were not paid.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish information on(a) poll tax receipts and non-payment and (b) non-domestic rate receipts and non-payment for all those local authorities which have made their third quarterly returns to his Department.

Mr. Portillo

[holding answer 20 February 1991]: I am arranging for copies of the information to be placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Salmond

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the community charge reduction scheme will only apply during 1991–92; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Key

[holding answer 22 February 1991]: Regulations laid before Parliament on 14 February 1990 provide that the community charge reduction scheme in England will initially apply to 1991–92 and 1992–93.