3 Fixed grant

1

For each financial year the designated Minister shall make grants to authorities on whom functions are conferred under section 2.

2

For each financial year the designated Minister shall—

a

determine the aggregate amount of grants to be made under subsection (1),

b

determine for each authority the amount of grant (if any) to be made under subsection (1),

c

publish each amount determined under paragraph (a) or (b),

d

publish any formula or other criteria used to determine whether to make a grant to an authority, and

e

publish any formula or other criteria used to determine the amount of a grant.

3

The designated Minister—

a

may use different formulae or other criteria in making determinations for different authorities, and

b

may vary a determination by a further determination.

3A Discretionary grant

The designated Minister may make a grant to an authority on whom a function is conferred under section 2 (whether or not in addition to any grant under section 3).

3B Payment

1

Grant under section 3 or 3A shall be paid in such manner and at such time as the designated Minister determines.

2

In particular—

a

a grant for a financial year need not be paid in that year, and

b

a grant may be paid in instalments.

3

A grant under section 3 or 3A may be conditional.

4

An authority shall repay to the designated Minister any sum which—

a

the authority receives by way of grant under section 3 for a financial year, and

b

exceeds the amount to which the authority is entitled under that section for that year (whether or not by virtue of a varying determination under section 3(3)(b)).