FUNDING FOR NORTHAMPTONSHIRE'S DISPOSAL OF REFRIGERATORS

Early day motion 344, tabled 10 December 2002 by Lord Boswell of Aynho (Conservative). Signed by 22 members.

That this House notes that the Government proposes to fund the additional costs to Northamptonshire County Council, as a result of implementing Article 16(2) of EC Regulation 2037/00 on Ozone Depleting Substances, in the period from 1st April 2002 to 31st March 2003, by means of a special grant allocation of ú429,713; further notes that the estimated actual cost by Northamptonshire County Council for the storage and disposal of redundant refrigerators during this time period is ú520,000, and that in addition to the estimated cost to Northampton Council of ú45,000, unknown costs for the collection of redundant refrigerators are also being incurred by Corby Borough Council, Daventry District Council, East Northamptonshire Council, Kettering Borough Council, South Northamptonshire Borough Council and Wellingborough Borough Council; recognises thereby that the total extra cost in Northamptonshire County Council is in excess of ú565,000; and in view of the statement by the Minister for the Environment, the Right honourable Member for Oldham West and Royton on local authority funding that 'We are ... taking the realistic view that if extra duties are imposed they should be reasonably funded. That is the Government's policy' (Official Report, 14th January, c125), calls upon the Government to make clear how it intends to fund the shortfall in Northamptonshire which will not be less than ú135,287.

Signatures by party: Conservative 19, Liberal Democrat 2, Independent Conservative 1.