HC Deb 07 May 2002 vol 385 c26W
Mrs. Brooke

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure that district authorities have the flexibility to fund and deliver high quality public services to local people. [52467]

Dr. Whitehead

The Local Government White Paper "Strong Local Leadership—Quality Public Services", published December 2001, sets out our broad vision for local government. The White Paper contains our commitments to provide local authorities with wider powers and increased financial flexibility, and for Government to decrease unnecessary control over authorities to assist with the delivery of improved public services and better community leadership.