SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 3 Reduction of Community Charges
Parliamentary proceedings for reduction of personal community charges
1
1
If the Secretary of State is satisfied that the total estimated expenses mentioned in section 9(2) of this Act of a local authority in respect of any financial year are excessive and unreasonable, he may make and cause to be laid before the Commons House of Parliament a report proposing a reduction in the amount of the personal community charge determined by the authority in respect of that year and stating—
a
the amount of the reduction so proposed; and
b
his reasons for proposing that reduction.
2
A report under sub-paragraph (1) above shall set out any representations made by the local authority to which it relates with respect to the matters referred to in the report or a summary of these representations.
3
In determining, for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) above, whether, in relation to any financial year, the total estimated expenses of a local authority are excessive and unreasonable, the Secretary of State—
a
shall have regard to the financial and other relevant circumstances of the area of the authority;
b
may take into account the transfer of any sum between the local authority’s general fund and any special fund or account maintained by them under any enactment;
c
may have regard—
i
to the expenditure or estimated expenses, in that or any preceding year, of other local authorities which the Secretary of State is satisfied are comparable with the local authority concerned;
ii
to general economic conditions; and
iii
to such other financial, economic, demographic, geographical and like criteria as he considers appropriate; and
d
may leave out of account such categories of estimated expenses as he thinks fit.
4
In determining what amount to state under sub-paragraph (1)(a) above, the Secretary of State may have regard to any balances in the general fund of the local authority.