The government is proposing to remove the controls that currently...
The government is proposing to remove the controls that currently
cut red tape for local authorities, will be taken forward through a
apply to the operation of local authority Cash Incentive Schemes.
The proposals which are part of wider moves to reduce regulation and
draft Regulatory Reform Order, now before parliament.
Currently local authorities are required to obtain the Secretary of
State's consent to run Cash Incentive Schemes. However, new proposals
will reduce the administrative burden by removing the need for
consent, giving local authorities greater flexibility.
Housing minister Jeff Rooker said:
'Reducing the administrative burden by removing the need for consent,
will furnish local authorities with the flexibility they need to run
the Cash Incentive Schemes more easily and tailor them to meet local
housing needs.'
The Reform Order follows a nine-week consultation (16 August - 18
October) resulting in overwhelming support for the proposed change to
the administration of local authority Cash Incentive Schemes.
Notes
1. Under the Cash Incentive Scheme local authorities can make grants
to existing tenants to help them buy a home of their own or to carry
out works on a house to provide additional accommodation (which is
rarely used). The main purpose of the scheme is to free up council
houses for other households in housing need. It also supports moves
into home ownership.
2. Guidance notes set out the conditions schemes must meet. These
include a means test for applicants, a limit on the price of the
property to be purchased, confirmation that grants will be limited to
purchases in the UK and arrangements for publicising the scheme.
3. The Consultation paper Removal of the Requirement for Local
Authorities to obtain consent to run a Cash Incentive Scheme was
published by the ODPM on 16 August 2002.
4. We are aiming for the regulatory reform order to come into force
from April 2003.
5. Copies are available at http:///www.housing.odpm.gsi.gov.uk and
from the Cabinet Office's website at
http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/regulation/act/condocs.htm
6. The reform would apply to England only.
7. Details of the Regulatory Reform Act 2001 can be found at:
www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/regulation/act/index.htm.
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