§ Lord Norrieasked Her Majesty's Government:
When the West Midlands Residuary Body will be dissolved.
§ Baroness BlatchThe West Midlands Residuary Body will formally be dissolved on 31st March 1991 by an order made under Section 67 of the Local Government Act 1985. The order transfers the remainder of the residuary body's property, functions, rights and liabilities to successor authorities. The residuary body's final report and accounts will be laid before Parliament in due course.
On abolition, the residuary body inherited some 5,000 former county council property interests. Surplus properties of substantial value have been identified and successfully disposed of on the market, while those needed for continuing functions have been transferred to the district councils. The residuary body has been able to distribute some £110 million to successors from property sales and revenue balances for the benefit of the local chargepayers. It is a credit to all concerned that the residuary body's tasks have been successfully completed within the statutory timescale. I would like to pay tribute to the chairman, Sir Tom McDonald, his predecessor, Dr. Malcolm Skillicorn, the board members and the staff for their contribution to this achievement.
All six metropolitan residuary bodies have now completed their work. This effectively draws to a close a chapter of local government reorganisation.