Written question asked by Lord Brady of Altrincham (Conservative) on Thursday, 12 February 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 March 2004. It was answered by Nick Raynsford (Labour) on Monday, 8 March 2004 on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, which metropolitan authorities have developed a medium term financial strategy for the next three to five years. - Inc fact that information is not held centrally and disproportionate cost. (Printed on 23.02.2004 in Bound Volume 418 c332W).

Answer: Mr. Brady: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which metropolitan authorities have developed a medium term financial strategy for the next three to five years. [155993] Mr. Raynsford: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, from April 2004, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy's Prudential Code requires all local authorities to prepare each year estimates of their revenue and capital spending for three years ahead. They are also required to consider known significant variations beyond that timeframe. The Government strongly supports this requirement, and have given statutory backing to the Prudential Code using powers in the Local Government Act 2003.

Secondary information