Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996

92 Contributions by the Secretary of State

(1) The Secretary of State may pay contributions to local housing authorities towards such expenditure incurred by them under this Part as he may determine.

(2) The rate or rates of the contributions, the calculation of the expenditure to which they relate and the manner of their payment shall be such as may be determined by the Secretary of State with the consent of the Treasury.

(3) A determination under subsection (1) or (2)—

(a) may be made generally or with respect to a particular local housing authority or description of authority, including a description framed by reference to authorities in a particular area, and

(b) may make different provision in relation to different cases or descriptions of case.

(4) Contributions under this section shall be payable subject to such conditions as to records, certificates, audit or otherwise as the Secretary of State may, with the approval of the Treasury, impose.

(5) If, before the declaration of a renewal area, a local housing authority are satisfied that the rate of contributions which, in accordance with a determination under subsection (2), would otherwise be applicable to the authority will not be adequate, bearing in mind the action they propose to take with regard to the area, they may, before making the declaration, apply to the Secretary of State for contributions at a higher rate in respect of that area.

(6) An application under subsection (5) shall be made in such form and shall contain such particulars as the Secretary of State may determine; and, if such an application is made, the authority shall not declare the area concerned to be a renewal area until the application is approved, refused or withdrawn.

(7) If an application under subsection (5) is approved, the Secretary of State may pay contributions under subsection (1) in respect of the area concerned at such higher rate as he may determine under subsection (2).