§ Mr. WatersonTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the budget is for civil defence in(a) East Sussex and (b) Eastbourne in 2003. [103912]
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§ Mr. AlexanderCentral Government provide funds for local authority emergency planning in England and Wales in the form of Civil Defence Grant. This is allocated to those authorities with a statutory duty for Civil Defence (all-purpose local authorities, county councils, Fire and Civil Defence Authorities and London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority) to enable them to carry out their emergency planning functions.
East Sussex County Council has been allocated £208,288 for 2003–04. As a shire district with no statutory duty for Civil Defence, Eastbourne Borough Council does not receive any direct funding from central Government.
The Civil Defence Grant is just part of central Government funding for planning for and responding to emergencies. Central Government provide substantial funds to other local responders, including the emergency services and health authorities.
Local authorities often supplement the central Government contribution from their general funds, recognising the importance of civil protection in their community. I understand that East Sussex County Council has budgeted to spend an additional £45,000 from their own general funds in 2003–04 and Eastbourne Borough Council £11,000.