HC Deb 29 January 1997 vol 289 cc220-1W
Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the value of the area cost adjustment in 1996–97 and in 1997–98 to (i) Buckinghamshire county council, (ii) Milton Keynes borough council, (iii) Aylesbury Vale district council, (iv) Wycombe district council, (v) Chiltern district council, (vi) South Buckinghamshire district council and (vii) the Thames Valley police authority; and if he will make a statement. [12833]

Sir Paul Beresford

The contribution to SSAs from the area cost adjustment is listed in the table.

The contribution of the area cost adjustment is not the same as the amount an authority would gain or lose if there was not an area cost adjustment in the standard spending assessment system. If the area cost adjustment were removed, it would be necessary to revise the analyses on which SSA formulae are based, and we would wish to consult local authority associations on what would then be the most appropriate formulae.

The area cost adjustment (ACA) contribution for 1996–97 and 1997–98 settlement SSAs
£ million
1996–97 settlement SSA ACA contribution 1997–98 settlement SSA ACA contribution
Buckinghamshire CC 23.220 16.522
Milton Keynes BC 0.784 5.627
Aylesbury Vale DC 0.576 0.498
Wycombe DC 0.599 0.518
Chiltern DC 0.675 0.624
South
Buckinghamshire DC 0.719 0.652
Thames Valley Police 6.069 5.637

The large changes in the ACA contribution for Buckinghamshire CC and Milton Keynes BC between 1996–97 and 1997–98 are due to the effects of local government reorganisation.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what planning guidance exists to control the spread of telecommunication masts in areas of outstanding natural beauty and near national heritage sites. [12944]

Sir Paul Beresford

Except in an emergency, the erection of telecommunication masts in areas of outstanding natural beauty needs planning permission from the local planning authority. The erection of masts near national heritage sites is subject either to full planning control or to the prior approval procedure under part 24 of schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, depending on the size and location of the mast. Guidance on such applications is set out in the Department's planning policy guidance note 8. This emphasises the need to protect sensitive environments.