Local Government & Housing Committee - Evidence to the Richard Commission

The remit of the Committee is based on the responsibility of the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities, Edwina Hart. It covers local government policy and finance issues, housing, community regeneration and crime reduction. The remit does not include Edwina Hart's responsibilities as Finance Minister. Within its field, the Committee is expected to contribute to policy development, review the implementation of policy, advise on proposed legislation affecting Wales and contribute to the process of allocating the Assembly's budget.

The Committee has carried out two policy reviews. The first in 2000-01 was of Housing Stock Transfer and the second in 2001-02 of Community regeneration. Each review resulted in a report to the Minister that was debated in Plenary. The Minister responded to the recommendations made.

The Minister's response to the Housing Stock Transfer report was fairly positive. She accepted many of the recommendations made. There were however three recommendations which she could not implement:

• to change the rules governing local government borrowing;
• to allow for the suspension of the transfer levy beyond 2005;and
• to make financial provision available for one-off payments to allow authorities to redeem any overhanging debt
• The Minister could only make representations to Whitehall on these issues.
• The Minister was able to accept all the recommendations in the report of Community regeneration

The Committee has not been asked scrutinise any draft subordinate legislation. It is however given an opportunity to comment on the timetable of forthcoming legislation within its remit. An up-to-date timetable is included with each of the Minister's monthly written reports. The Minister advises on progress during various stages of the development of secondary legislation within the Committee's area of responsibility.

The Committee scrutinises the Minister for Finance Local Government and Communities through her fortnightly reports to Committee and the various policy initiatives she regular brings to the Committee as part of its normal business. The fortnightly reports continue to be alternatively provided oral and written as agreed by the Committee. The Minister's annual Budget proposals are considered and commented on first as a "considerations" paper, then as an "issues" paper in the Summer term and in final draft form in the Autumn.

There are few Assembly Public Bodies within the Committee's remit. The Committee traditionally examines the Annual Report and Accounts of the Local Government Boundary Commission in the autumn term.

In each of its roles the Committee has regard to the fact that many powers are not devolved to the Assembly. As general indication, the Committee has asked the Minister to make representations to the appropriate Whitehall Minister on the following issues for which she does not have direct responsibility:

• The Local Government Bill - on the need to maximise powers for the National Assembly:
• The use of domestic rateable values as a basis for water charging;
• The implementation of the recommendation of the Waterhouse report in the context of individual advocacy arrangements in the new secure unit for 15-17 year olds at Parc Prison:
• Funding for Wales under the Counter Terrorism Project
• Continuing Funding for then TASC Project
• Capital / Revenue split in administering the Community Against Drug Fund;
• The inclusion of fire safety measures in Building Regulations.
• Increased flexibility in the PSBR rules

Although both the Police and Fire Services have direct links with Local Government, responsibility for neither service is devolved to the Assembly. Although All Wales strategies have been developed following the establishment of partnerships such as the Community Fire Safety Working Group and the Wales Crime and Disorder Partnerships, funding sources are often outside the ambit of the Assembly. In such circumstances, the Assembly may only make representations to Whitehall on possible future proposals and examine ways to maintain the financial viability of existing schemes.