§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in what circumstances local councils are permitted to accept cash for lifting covenants against development of playing fields.
§ Mr. BaldryAn authoritative answer to the question can be given only by the courts. The general powers of local authorities to dispose of their interests in land do not extend to removal of binding covenants, except in relation to open space which is former public trust land, i.e. land held in trust for enjoyment by the public in accordance
Number of dwellings in each council tax band in each region shown in advance valuation lists A B C D E F G H Total North 751,440 186,539 179,834 91,716 46,130 22,605 13,582 1,667 1,293,513 North West 1,185,088 486,183 454,364 229,635 128,209 66,832 50,061 6,336 2,606,708 Yorkshire and Humberside 972,926 395,495 332,689 157,629 97,243 51,338 33,015 4,977 2,045,312 West Midlands 706,560 525,626 405,543 211,166 128,111 72,226 47,707 5,337 2,102,276 East Midlands 660,292 376,429 305,471 157,070 85,863 44,400 30,983 2,946 1,663,454 East Anglia 198,096 243,858 202,248 110,552 61,451 32,178 20,514 5,469 874,366 South West 332,486 489,344 474,304 309,277 204,133 111,775 74,411 4,708 2,003,437 South East 359,187 719,011 1,216,145 890,045 578,717 340,382 273,664 37,725 4,414,876 London 85,824 380,952 785,392 743,466 469,379 232,183 195,542 53,123 2,945,861 England 5,251,899 3,803,437 4,355,989 2,900,556 1,799,236 973,919 739,479 125,288 19,949,803 Source: Valuation Office Agency.
§ Mr. StrawTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 16 November to the hon. Member for Ealing North,Official Report, column 56, what significant changes to a property between 1 April 1991 and April 1993 will be ground for a change in a council tax valuation; what changes in value of the property will be ground for such a change; and what publicity has been given by Ministers to these provisions.
§ Mr. HowardThe banding of each dwelling shown in a valuation list compiled on 1 April 1993 will be based on its estimated sale price on 1 April 1991, but reflecting its size, layout and character and the physical state of its locality on 31 March 1993. Any change in the dwelling's size,
430Wwith section 164 of the Public Health Act 1875 or section 10 of the Open Spaces Act 1906. The Lands Tribunal may, however, modify or discharge covenants under section 84 of the Law of Property Act 1925. The Audit Commission may be asked to investigate alleged irregularities in local authority land transactions. The Secretary of State, however, has no jurisdiction.