§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the estimated cost is of the building(a) repair and (b) maintenance backlog contained within the Asset Management Plan of each local authority; and if he will make a statement. [25785]
§ Dr. WhiteheadLocal authorities have submitted Asset Management Plans to Government as part of the first live round of the single capital pot during 2001. Each authority was asked to provide an estimate of its maintenance backlog for all assets—housing, education, transport, office accommodation etc. No distinction was made between repair and maintenance for this purpose.
The response rate on the question of backlog was over 70 per cent. for counties, metropolitan districts and unitary councils, 57 per cent. for London boroughs and 24 per cent. for district councils. The average backlog for those authorities responding was used to produce an estimate for the whole population.
The totals should be treated with caution as most authorities are not yet well advanced in asset management and we are not able to confirm that consistent and robust methods were used to assess the backlog.
Average per council £ million Total estimate of backlog £ billion Counties 139 4.4 Metropolitan districts 251 7.8 Unitary councils 96 3.8 London boroughs 143 4.7 District councils 19 4.4 Total 25.1