Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if his Department will take steps to ensure that suitable provision is made for uninsured historical liabilities that succeeding authorities may inherit following reorganisation; and if his Department will provide guidance to local authorities to support this process.

There is a suite of general continuity regulations for local government reorganisation made under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 which ensure smooth transfer to new unitary councils.

These general regulations provide transitional and supplementary arrangements, so that the councils can undertake specific functions to enable a successful move to the single tier of local government. The provisions relate to continuity of services and functions, staffing, local authority plans and schemes, transfer of assets, property and reserves.

It is the responsibility of councils to manage their budgets and they should ensure funding decisions are prudent and represent value for money. The Government expects local government reorganisation deliver better value for money for taxpayers, saving money that can be reinvested in front line services.