HC Deb 11 March 1991 vol 187 cc362-4W
Mr. Hannam

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of community charge payers in Exeter who(a) received rebates in 1989–90 under the rates rebate scheme (b) received relief in 1990–91 under the community charge relief scheme and (c) will receive refunds under the community charge scheme.

Mr. Key

An average of 8,327 households in Exeter received a rate rebate in 1989–90; around 16,800 individuals in Exeter have benefited from transitional relief in 1990–91. No information is yet available on the number of people in Exeter who will be helped by the community charge reduction scheme. However, if Exeter district council sets its charge for 1991–92 at or above its scheme charge of £344, a couple living in an averagely rated property who have not moved since 31 March 1990 could look forward to a joint reduction of £183.

Mr. Hardy

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what income was received from the standard community charge in(a) Westminster and (b) Rotherham during 1990–91; what is his estimate of this income in 1991–92; and whether this income is taken into account in the determination of standard spending grant.

Mr. Key

[holding answer 7 March 1991]: Income from standard community charges is not taken into account in the revenue support grant settlement.

Budgeted income from standard community charges (£million)
1990–91
Westminster city council 4.5
Rotherham MBC 11.0
1 Pre-capping estimate.

The information for 1991–92 is not yet available.

Mr. Hardy

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what sum will be provided from central funds in support of the local authorities of(a) Wandsworth, (b) Westminster and (c) Rotherham in 1990–91; and what is the estimated (1) expenditure, (2) central support and (3) per capita expenditure of each of those authorities in 1991–92.

Mr. Key

[holding answer 7 March 1991]: The information about central Government support is as follows:

External support 1990–91 £million External support 1991–92 £million
Wandsworth 213.5 235.9
Westminster 153.5 188.1
Rotherham 119.5 124.2

The external support is paid to the receiving authority's collection fund. It finances expenditure by policy and fire and civil defence authorities as well as expenditure by the charging authority.

Information regarding their budgeted expenditure in 1991–92 has not yet been submitted to the Secretary of State for the Environment by these authorities.

Mr. Duffy

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what grant per poll tax payer is received by Sheffield.

Mr. Key

Government grants, consisting of revenue support grant, special grants, specific grants in aggregate external finance, community charge benefit grant and transitional relief grant, per head of relevant population in 1990–91 are £309 in Sheffield.