Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980

PART I Adjustment between England and Wales

Adjustment

1 (1) The English block grant for a year and the Welsh block grant for the year shall be subject to adjustment in accordance with this paragraph.

(2) The Secretary of State shall consider whether in his opinion the burden of the education expenditure for each year falls unevenly between local authorities in England on the one hand and those in Wales on the other.

(3) In doing so he shall ascertain the difference between—

(a) the amount of the education expenditure for the year of local authorities in England which appears to him (after taking account of recoupment) to ensure for the benefit of people belonging to the areas of local authorities in Wales; and

(b) the amount of the education expenditure for the year of local authorities in Wales which appears to him (after taking account of recoupment) to enure for the benefit of people belonging to the areas of local authorities in England.

(4) If, after he has ascertained that difference, it appears to the Secretary of State that the burden of the education expenditure for the year falls unevenly between local authorities in England on the one hand and those in Wales on the other, he may fix an amount by which the English block grant for any year should be increased and the Welsh block grant for the year should be decreased (or vice versa) in order to take account of the uneven way in which the burden falls.

Apportionment of increased or decreased amount

2 (1) Regulations shall provide for—

(a) the apportionment among local authorities in England of the amount (if any) by which the English block grant is increased or decreased in accordance with paragraph 1 above;

(b) the apportionment among local authorities in Wales of the amount (if any) by which the Welsh block grant is increased or decreased in accordance with that paragraph,

and for ascertaining the amount by which the block grant payable to each local authority should be increased or decreased accordingly.

(2) In paying the block grant for any year, the Secretary of State shall adjust the amount of the grant accordingly.

(3) Regulations under this paragraph may make different provision in relation to authorities in England and authorities in Wales.

Interpretation

3 (1) This paragraph has effect for the interpretation of paragraphs 1 and 2 above.

(2) References to the English and Welsh block grants for a year are references respectively to the aggregate amount of block grant payable in the year to local authorities in England and the aggregate amount of block grant payable in the year to local authorities in Wales.

(3) References to the education expenditure for a year are to the expenditure which the Secretary of State estimates has been or will be incurred for the year by all local authorities in England and Wales in the exercise of their functions as education authorities, and references to the education expenditure for a year of local authorities in England and of those in Wales are to be construed accordingly.

(4) References to recoupment are to recoupment between authorities under section 31 of the [1980 c. 20.] Education Act 1980.