This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Scottish local government financial statistics 1996/97
22/03/1999
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT STATISTICAL SERVICE
Just under half of local authority revenue expenditure in Scotland in 1996/97 went on education and housing services, according to Scottish Office statistics published today in Scottish Local Government Financial Statistics 1996/97.
Of a total local authority gross expenditure amounting to £9,337 million in 1996/97, 28 per cent was spent on education services, 21 per cent on housing, 14 per cent on social work and 10 per cent on law, order and protective services.
Forty per cent of the total revenue expenditure was accounted for by employee costs, 43 per cent by operating expenses and 12 per cent by loan charges.
Of the gross income of £9,330 million on all services (including the income of housing and trading services) 56 per cent was met by government grants, 17 per cent from rents, sales, fees and charges (mainly council house rents), 14 per cent from non-domestic rates and 10 per cent from council tax. The remaining two per cent comprises other income and changes in revenue balances.
Capital expenditure on land, buildings and other major assets amounted to £889 million in 1996/97.
BACKGROUND
1. The figures given above include expenditure on general fund services, ie those services financed principally from non-domestic rates, council tax and revenue support grant. These include education, social work, roads and transport, law, order and protective services and cleansing. Expenditure on housing and trading services such as harbours and piers, road bridges and other trading services is also included. Expenditure from special funds is not included.
2. This publication covers the transactions of local authorities and joint boards as defined in the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, in the first year following Local Government re-organisation. It contains a summary of local authority revenue and capital expenditure and income broken down into specific sections covering general fund services, housing, trading services and other funds.
3. There are also tables showing outstanding capital debt per head of population and details of non-domestic rate and council tax levels and income, and rateable values for 1996/97.and 1997/98. Appendices give details of local taxes and income and local authority staffing.
4. Scottish Local Government Financial Statistics 1996/97 is a publication of the Government Statistical Service and is priced at £5. It may be obtained from Stationery Office Books, 71 Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH3 9AZ (ISBN number 07480 8119 4).
News Release: 0711/99
22 March 1999