Local Government Reorganisation

HC Deb 16 May 1997 vol 294 cc5-6W

Ms Jacqui Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what resources he has made available under the 1997–98 Local Government Reorganisation Costs Scheme for the shadow authorities elected in local elections on 1 May; and if he will make a statement. [695]

Ms Armstrong

In their shadow year, authorities have no source of funding other than the resources made available to them through the Local Government Reorganisation Costs Scheme. Under the scheme for 1997–98 I have decided to allocate an initial amount of £1,000,000 to each of the 4 shadow authorities recently elected for: Hertfordshire, Worcestershire, Malvern Hills and Medway Towns. Each shadow authority will be invited to submit a formal bid for costs at the mid year stage of the scheme in the autumn and I expect to make further awards at that stage.