§ Mr. GallieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will indicate the date after which existing local authorities must have the agreement of their successors before entering into major financial transactions. [36161]
§ Mr. KynochFollowing consultations with Scottish local authorities, I have today made the Local Government (Relevant Date) (Scotland) Order 1995 which requires existing local authorities, joint boards and the Central Scotland Water Development Board, from 1 September 1995, to have the agreement of the relevant successor bodies before disposing of land or entering into revenue or capital contracts above specified values. Where the successor body is a joint police or fire board, the date in question will be 28 days after the establishment of the relevant board.
In deciding on these dates, I have given careful consideration to the views of existing and new councils. There is clearly a need to avoid possible disruption to local government services while at the same time protecting the interests of incoming councils. I believe that the date of 1 September provides new councils with the opportunity to set in place appropriate mechanisms for dealing expeditiously with requests for their consent.