9(1)Before a financial year begins the Secretary of State shall estimate—S
(a)the aggregate of the items of account which will be credited to the account kept for that year; and
(b)the aggregate of the items of account which will be debited to the account kept for that year under paragraphs 7(2)(b) and (c) and 8(3)(b) above.
(2)In making any estimate under sub-paragraph (1) above the Secretary of State may make such assumptions as he thinks fit.
(3)If the aggregate estimated under sub-paragraph (1)(a) above exceeds the aggregate estimated under sub-paragraph (1)(b) above the Secretary of State shall calculate the amount equal to the difference.
(4)In any local government finance order in respect of that year the Secretary of State shall specify the amount arrived at under this paragraph (the distributable amount for the year).