HC Deb 30 November 1995 vol 267 cc856-7W
Mr. Sweeney

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are his proposals for police authority revenue spending in 1996–97. [3912]

Mr. Hague

I propose to make £331.4 million available from total standard spending in Wales to fund police services in 1996–97. This sum comprises £165.2 million in cash-limited police grant to be paid by the Home Secretary and £166.3 million in standard spending assessments. It represents an overall increase of £15.7 million, or 5 per cent. on 1995–96. The sums for each police authority are set out in the following table:

£ million
Police grant Standard spending assessment Total
Dyfed Powys 24.2 24.3 48.5
Gwent 31.3 31.4 62.7
North Wales 34.6 34.7 69.3
South Wales 75.1 75.8 150.9

These figures include a transfer of around £10.5 million for the transfer of responsibility for policing the Rhymney valley area from south Wales to Gwent police authority.

The Welsh Office is today writing to each of the police authorities in Wales to consult them on their provisional standard spending assessments for 1996–97. This figure may alter slightly if the balance of the police funding formula as between English and Welsh police authorities changes as a result of consultation.

It is essential that police authorities budget wisely and do not impose an unreasonable burden on council taxpayers. I therefore propose provisional capping principles to inform their budget decisions. Police authorities would not be capped if their budget requirements for 1996–97 were: less than 12.5 per cent above the sum of the authority's standard spending assessment and police grant; and did not exceed their 1995–96 base budget by more than the greater of the sum of the increases in their standard spending assessment and police grant of 3.5 per cent.

I will make my final decisions on capping principles in the light of budgets set by police authorities.

I am still considering my capping proposals for the new unitary authorities in Wales. I propose to announce provisional capping principles and standard spending assessments for these authorities in mid-December.

Copies of the consultation letter will be placed in the Library of the House.