Whereas the First Secretary of State has, pursuant to subsection (2)(a) of section 52D of the Local Government Finance Act 1992(1), designated each of the authorities listed in the Schedule to this Order as regards the financial year beginning in 2004;

And whereas the First Secretary of State has notified each of those authorities in writing pursuant to section 52E(2) of that Act of his decision to so designate it, the principles determined under section 52B of that Act in relation to it, the category in which it falls for the purposes of section 52B, the amount which he proposed should be the maximum for the amount calculated by it as its budget requirement for the year, the target amount for the year (that is the maximum amount which he proposed it could calculate as its budget requirement for the year without the amount calculated being excessive), and the financial year as regards which he expected the amount calculated by it as its budget requirement for that year to be equal or less than the target amount for that year;

And whereas each of the authorities listed in the Schedule to this Order has informed the First Secretary of State by notice in writing under section 52E(5)(a) of that Act that, for the reasons stated in the notice, it believes the maximum amount stated under section 52E(2)(d) of that Act should be such as is stated in its notice;

And whereas a draft of this Order has been laid before and approved by resolution of the House of Commons;