41.   But the council has had a change of heart and is now looking at ways of funding the event.

42.   Darlington council has had to wait while negotiations have been completed with British Rail over the site ownership.

43.   Although district councils will have more scope to refuse applications, Labour councillors fear some policy controls could shift to central Government.

44.   The three district councils in Fife have still to set their rates which have to be added to the regional tax.

45.   At local level, however, individual councils have their own plans.

46.   The council does not have to consider a new application within two years, unless it differs substantially from the original.

47.   The council had no legal obligation to buy back the property and previous repurchases were virtually unheard of.

48.   But the council had to balance its books, he said.

49.   His or her mandate generally covers most of the issues over which the works council has codetermination rights but excludes questions of incentives and job evaluation.

50.   Works councils have to be consulted over mass lay-offs but have no right to call strikes.