§ 24. Mr. HendryTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received on proposed changes to the calculation of the area cost adjustment. [12524]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordDuring the consultation period on the 1997–98 local government finance settlement I received 87 representations proposed changes to the calculation of the area cost adjustment.
§ 25. Mr. David EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many councils have spent above their capping limit. [12525]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordLegally no authority can set a budget above its cap. However, an authority can set a budget above the level of its provisional cap and be designated by the Secretary of State at a level at or below its budget. A total of 46 authorities have done so since 1991–92, of which 17 have been designated at a level above their provisional cap. A local authority's budget for capping purposes excludes some types of spending, such as spending financed by specific grant.
§ Mr. RaynsfordTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each local authority in England the total amount of(a) usable and (b) set-aside capital receipts estimated to be held at 31 March 1996. [13791]
§ Mr. CurryA list of the amounts of accumulated usable capital receipts for each local authority in England at 31 March 1996 has been placed in the Library of the House.
Figures for the amounts of set-aside capital receipts are not available. These form part of the provision for credit liabilities, which is reported to the Department, but which also includes amounts set aside from revenue.