The MJ - Finance and Efficiency http://www.theMj.co.uk/ Sun, 19 May 2013 06:07:03 GMT Copyright: (C)The MJ see http://www.theMj.co.uk/Article/copy.aspx?id=178333 for terms and conditions of reuse. en-gb Pickles renews 'Town Hall Pravdas' attack http://www.theMj.co.uk/MemberPages/Subscribe/article.aspx?id=193422 Jonathan Werran Fri, 17 May 2013 12:18:58 GMT Communities secretary writes to the Newspaper Society pledging commitment to scrapping council free-sheets. Fire authorities have scope for major efficiencies, review finds http://www.theMj.co.uk/MemberPages/Subscribe/article.aspx?id=193424 Jonathan Werran Fri, 17 May 2013 12:18:50 GMT Fire authorities have seen reserves double to £400m in four years and could save further £200m a year, top fireman reports. Government 'locked into logic' of tax devolution, claims Johnson http://www.theMj.co.uk/MemberPages/Subscribe/article.aspx?id=193372 Jonathan Werran Thu, 16 May 2013 12:17:52 GMT London Mayor demands greater devolution of local tax revenues and calls for 'transmogrified version' of capital's LEP. ADEPT for local issues http://www.theMj.co.uk/MemberPages/Subscribe/article.aspx?id=193398 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:19:11 GMT ADEPT urges ministers to focus on local growth, infrastructure funding and addressing the cost of social care in the forthcoming Spending Review. Advertising halted http://www.theMj.co.uk/MemberPages/Subscribe/article.aspx?id=193394 Wed, 15 May 2013 17:10:55 GMT A poll of local newspaper editors found more than a quarter have received threats from public bodies to suspend advertising. Shires 'key to growth' http://www.theMj.co.uk/MemberPages/Subscribe/article.aspx?id=193387 Nick Appleyard Wed, 15 May 2013 16:53:10 GMT Ministers urged to consider setting up a wave of 'county deals' to enable local authorities to maximise on economic growth. Assessment on skills cash leads to calls for London-wide team-up http://www.theMj.co.uk/MemberPages/Subscribe/article.aspx?id=193386 Wed, 15 May 2013 16:46:52 GMT London Councils has urged boroughs to band together to broker more opportunities from the money spent on skills provision. Welsh councils face more cuts http://www.theMj.co.uk/MemberPages/Subscribe/article.aspx?id=193377 Wed, 15 May 2013 15:47:50 GMT The Welsh Local Government Association warns that councils could have to cut spending by more than a half as financial cuts continue. Westminster council leader backs mayor's bid to retain taxes http://www.theMj.co.uk/MemberPages/Subscribe/article.aspx?id=193376 Wed, 15 May 2013 15:33:11 GMT The leader of a flagship Conservative borough backed Boris Johnson's call for the capital to be given greater powers to retain taxes. Government urged to consider national procurement body http://www.theMj.co.uk/MemberPages/Subscribe/article.aspx?id=193373 Jonathan Werran Wed, 15 May 2013 14:53:05 GMT Senior local government figures have urged ministers to rethink proposed legislation announced in the Queen's Speech last week. Collaboration sought to address data/skills gap http://www.theMj.co.uk/MemberPages/Subscribe/article.aspx?id=193368 Wed, 15 May 2013 12:35:28 GMT According to a new report, councils should work together to address critical data and skills gaps. Scrutiny helps councils save £1.6m, says review http://www.theMj.co.uk/MemberPages/Subscribe/article.aspx?id=193367 Laura Sharman Wed, 15 May 2013 11:45:28 GMT According to a review by the Centre for Public Scrutiny, scrutiny is helping councils identify over £1.6m in savings. 'Give London autonomy' call to decide fiscal future http://www.theMj.co.uk/MemberPages/Subscribe/article.aspx?id=193366 Heather Jameson Wed, 15 May 2013 10:08:05 GMT Plans for a new finance regime for London, calling for more autonomy for the mayor and the boroughs have been unveiled by Tony Travers. CTB changes spark hike in non-payments, survey finds http://www.theMj.co.uk/MemberPages/Subscribe/article.aspx?id=193337 Jonathan Werran Mon, 13 May 2013 10:47:09 GMT Localised council tax benefit arrangements have already led to an increase in levels of non-payment - it has emerged. WLGA issues bleak financial warning http://www.theMj.co.uk/MemberPages/Subscribe/article.aspx?id=193336 Jamie Hailstone Mon, 13 May 2013 10:26:11 GMT The WLGA has warned that councils could have to cut spending by more than a half as financial cuts continue to bite.