§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has yet considered the response of Sefton metropolitan borough council to the notice served on the authority on 24 August under section 19A of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Robin SquireMy right hon. and learned Friend has given careful consideration to the response which Sefton metropolitan borough council has made to the notice served on the authority on 24 August, and has today given a direction under section 19B of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980. The effect of the direction is that, after 1 June 1993, the authority will cease to have the power itself to carry out highways maintenance work as described in the authority's document entitled "Annual Service Contract No. 7".
He has also today served a notice on the council under section 19A of the 1980 Act setting out his view that in 1990–91 the authority had failed to achieve the required rate of return in carrying out the work described in section 10(2)(d) of the Act—maintenance work, other than such works of maintenance in connection with highways or the maintenance of a sewer. The authority is required to respond to the notice by 13 January 1993.