text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  Local Government Finance Settlement 2011-12 (England)
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  
  @ MP voted aye to reduce funding for local councils by 4 percent in 2011-12 compared to 2010-11. 
  @ MP voted no against reducing funding for local councils by 4 percent in 2011-12 compared to 2010-11. 
  
  The majority of MPs voted in favour of reducing funding for local councils by 4 percent in 2011-12 compared to 2010-11. 
  
  The approved motion stated:
  
  :That the Local Government Finance Report (England) 2011-12 (House of Commons Paper No. 748)[1], which was laid before this House on 31 January, be approved.
  
  The Local Government Finance Report (England) 2011-12 sets out how much central Government is going to pay local Government in England. 
  
  The Audit Commission has summarised the local Government finance settlement for 2011-12 as follows[3]:
  
  :total government revenue funding of Â£72.7 billion for local authorities in 2011/12, a decrease of 4 per cent compared to 2010/11. When funding for frontline schools, which has been protected from the cuts, is excluded, the decrease in total revenue funding is 9.5 per cent;
  :distributed Â£29.4 billion in formula grant in 2011/12, a decrease of 9.9 per cent compared to 2010/11;
  :provided transitional grant of Â£96.2 million in 2011/12 for authorities that would otherwise see a reduction in their 'revenue spending power', as defined by central government, of more than 8.8 per cent; and
  :made Â£650 million available to fund a council tax freeze in 2011/12.
  
  A Department for Communities and Local Government press release[4] issued on the day the report laid before the house similarly summaries the settlement.   
  
  * [1] [http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/hc1011/hc07/0748/0748.asp Local Government Finance Report (England) 2011-12 (House of Commons Paper No. 748) via official-documents.gov.uk]
  * [2] [http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/hc0910/hc02/0280/0280.pdf Local Government Finance Report (England) 2010-11 via official-documents.gov.uk]
  * [3] [http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/technicaldirectory/vfm1112/5.2.1_Councils.htm Audit Commission "Value for Money" section on Councils] 
  * [4] [http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/localgovernment/1831509 Government confirms progressive settlement and fair deal for communities - Department for Communities and Local Government - 31 January 2011]
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  