Chamber and committees

Comparisons of the population update and block and formula methods of grant distribution for 2002-03 and 2003-04 suggested that Glasgow City Council would gain around £3.9 million more over the three-year period 2001-04 from the block and formula method than the population update method. The incorporation of a "floor", or guaranteed minimum grant increase, gives the council an additional £16 million over the block and formula method. It is the difference between these two figures that constituted the additional £12 million that was referred to in the statement of 7 December 2000.

We will consider any new statutory duties and responsibilities, and whether they impose any additional financial burden on local government, as they arise.

Each authority's grant for 2001-02 was calculated using the existing client group based distribution formula adjusted to reflect a number of distribution reviews completed this year. A minimum grant increase (or "floor") of 5% was put in place. For 2002-03 and 2003-04, the formula was updated using projections of population changes in key client groups. Floors of 4% in 2002-03, and 3.4% in 2003-04, were applied.

The grant allocations arise out of the spending plans announced on 20 September, and represent a 10.5% increase in real terms over the three-year period.

The total grant figures announced take account of a wide range of factors impacting on local government costs, including the predicted rate of inflation. There is an element included to fund additional expenditure on education, including the recommendations of the McCrone Committee, but this will be reviewed once the final McCrone package is agreed.

The increases in grant support announced recently significantly exceed the predicted rate of inflation. It is for local authorities to manage their finances to take account of inflation and other factors just as other public bodies, and the Scottish Executive itself, has to do.

Under the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961 grants, at a rate of 50%, are available to all councils for the construction of confirmed flood prevention schemes which meet specified cost-benefit criteria. It is a matter for the councils concerned whether to take forward flood prevention schemes for the White Cart.

This information is not held centrally.

Dredging of the River Clyde is not a matter for the Executive and no discussions have taken place with Clydeport Plc - formerly the Clyde Port Authority. The company has powers to dredge part of the River Clyde for the purposes of navigation whilst maintenance of rivers for other purposes is a matter for the riparian owners.

Additionally, under the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961 local authorities have a duty to maintain watercourses if this would substantially reduce the likelihood of flooding of non-agricultural land in their areas.

The length and content of vocational training for general practitioners is a matter for the Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice (JCPTGP), which is a reserved body with a UK wide remit.