Nottinghamshire County Council funding

There's been an absolutely flurry of activity from Paddy Tipping MP, which I am struggling to keep up with. Next up is a written question:

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was allocated to Nottinghamshire county council for (a) 2006–07 and (b) each year since 1996–97 in (i) cash and (ii) real terms.

To which Phil Woolas, ODPM minister returns a number of figures, which you can see
here

The gist of his covering blurb is that due to changes in funding methods, and allocation of responsibilities, you can't compare like with like.

Presumably what's behind Paddy's question is the growing problem of council tax rises and funding.