HC Deb 04 February 1997 vol 289 cc581-2W
Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the extra duties given to councils in 1996–97 and 1997–98. [12762]

Mr. Kynoch

[holding answer 28 January 1997]: Councils in Scotland have, since 1 April 1996, taken on the following statutory duties in policy areas for which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland is responsible:

  • Duty to bill and collect water and sewerage charges from domestic customers on behalf of the new water authorities;
  • Duty to appoint a chief social work officer;
  • Duty to assess carers' needs;
  • Duty to take air quality into account before making traffic orders;
  • Duty to prepare a plan to achieve significant improvements in energy efficiency in residential accommodation;
  • Duty to consult other planning authorities about planning applications for certain retail developments;
  • Duty to notify the Secretary of State about planning applications for certain retail developments;
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  • Duty to consult community councils, water and sewerage authorities, and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency about certain planning applications;
  • Duty to review and update old mineral planning permissions within a statutory timetable;
  • Duties relating to the compulsory competitive tendering of council contracts, including provision for the progressive re-introduction from 1 April 1997 and 1 July 1997 of compulsory competitive tendering for construction and maintenance services under the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 and services under the Local Government Act 1988;
  • Enforcement of additional rules on the use, production, storage and handling of mammalian meat relating to the Government's policy to eliminate bovine spongiform encephalopathy from the food chain; and
  • North Ayrshire, Fife, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian councils have also taken on responsibility for various functions formerly exercised by new town development corporations within their areas.
  • In addition, the responsibility for the organisation of polling districts has transferred to the councils from parliamentary returning officers.

The Children (Scotland) Act 1995 will impose new duties on councils in relation to children's welfare from 1 April 1997.