But there is to be an increase of 10.6% over the three year period covered by the review in the local government spending assessment for the environment, protective and cultural services.
This includes recycling, waste management and associated work.
The amount allocated is set to rise in stages from 8.96 billion this year to 10.02 billion in 2005/06.
Local government allocations in general were promised a 4.2 per cent a year real terms increase over the next three years.
Grants worth up to a total of 635 million over three years will be available for local authorities which achieve what the chancellor called “stretching targets” in local public service agreements.
These are still being developed, but the chancellor’s statements set public service agreements for central government.
Those for the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs include enabling 25% of household waste to be recycled or composted by 2005/06 and the promotion of “sustainable management and prudent use of natural resources”.
Poorly performing councils will face recovery plans, and, if these fail, a takeover of their functions, the chancellor warned.
There is also to be a substantial boost for renewable energy and energy efficiency work.
Mr Brown said: “One of the greatest challenges to our future is to protect and safeguard our environment through sustainable development and to advance towards our 2010 targets – 20 per cent less carbon dioxide emissions, 10 per cent of electricity from renewable sources – the spending review will, in addition to financing the 100 million fund for the development of renewable technologies, provide in 2005/06 an additional 38 million for sustainable energy initiatives.”
Ministers in the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish administrations will make announcements on their spending plans later this week.
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