§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what criteria he considers in deciding whether to place a district or borough council which is judged as failing under administrative control; and if he will list the councils where this(a) has taken place and (b) is under consideration. [189353]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe Government's powers to intervene in the manner in which a local authority exercises its functions are set out in section 15 of the Local Government Act 1999 and may be used where the Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister is satisfied that the authority in question is failing to meet its statutory duty to achieve best value, as set out at section 3 of the same Act.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has so far used these powers on two occasions; in respect of the London Borough of Hackney, in 2001; and in respect of Kingston-upon-Hull council, in 2003.