James Leonard
Question:183 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for the Environment if he will increase the allocation for local improvement schemes in view of the large backlog of applications in some counties.
Written Answers. - Local Improvements Scheme Allocation.
I have fully allocated this year's provision of £2 million for the local improvements scheme and, accordingly, I am not in a position to increase the allocations already notified. The allocations to be made in 1994 cannot be determined until the Estimates for that year have been settled by the Government.
The administration of the local improvements scheme is devolved to county councils, subject to the provisions of the Local Government (Roads and Drainage) Act, 1968, and to general guidelines issued by my Department. Under the Act, councils may carry out works only by way of agreements with the landholders concerned, while the guidelines require councils to limit commitments in respect of such agreements so as to stay within the annual grant allocation. Councils are also instructed not to incur excess expenditure in anticipation of future grants.