Accountability
Oflog should be handed audit oversight, MPs told
The Office for Local Government (Oflog) should be handed oversight of England’s broken audit regime – a role earmarked for the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) - accounting experts have told MPs.
Finance watchdog launches Thurrock investigation
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has launched an investigation into the conduct of an unnamed accountant at Thurrock Council before it declared effective bankruptcy.
MPs press Government to resolve audit crisis
The Government should show more urgency in tackling the local audit crisis, a committee of MPs has said.
Gove's pay plan dismissed as 'unnecessary gimmick'
Communities secretary Michael Gove’s embryonic plan to require full councils to approve top salaries has been dismissed as an ‘unnecessary gimmick’ by sector figures.
EXCLUSIVE: Oflog base 'focus' on Wolverhampton
The new local government body responsible for identifying financial problems in councils earlier and strengthening accountability aims to base most of its staff outside London, The MJ understands.
EXCLUSIVE: Elected mayor in law change call
Croydon LBC’s mayor Jason Perry has called for the law to be changed to give councils greater powers to hold officers and councillors to account.
Sector to step up anti-mayor lobbying
The sector is to step up its lobbying for the Government to use its King’s Speech to end its fixation on elected leaders, The MJ understands.
Select committee report to consider accountability weaknesses
Weaknesses of the current system of accountability available to local authorities will be considered in a forthcoming select committee report, it has been confirmed.
EXCLUSIVE: Sector panel quietly sidelined by DLUHC
A panel of experts brought together in an attempt to tackle key issues facing the sector appears to have been quietly sidelined, The MJ can reveal.
Harris to take interest in Oflog-audit interplay
The Financial Reporting Council’s first director of local audit wants to take a closer look at the Government’s emerging plans for a new watchdog.
Warning against ‘knee-jerk reaction’ over Oflog plans
Local government finance expert Rob Whiteman has urged the sector to ‘not be defensive’ as ministers plan their new watchdog.
The drumbeat of oversight could be a good thing
Ed Hammond examines the emerging accountability framework in local government and says that, rather than something to be feared, it promises to place central-local relations on a stable footing.
Give locals a seat at the table
Providing MPs the ability to scrutinise policy implemented by combined authorities does nothing to bring power closer to communities, argues Courtney Stephenson.
Oflog should look at council effectiveness, says accountancy body
The industry body for accountants has called for the new local government watchdog to play a key role in looking at the effectiveness of councils.
Oflog 'could help strengthen local government accountability'
The executive Mayor of beleaguered Croydon has suggested the Government’s new local government watchdog could play a role in strengthening accountability in the sector.
Perfecting the art of procurement
The Procurement Bill should have been bolder and stronger, says John Tizard. But there is nothing to stop local authorities bringing in some of the measures it should have included, he believes.
Accountability is not a one-way street
Even if Oflog starts life with a light touch, 'there’s little to guard against mission creep several years down the line, eventually manifesting the Audit Commission 2.0', says Jessica Studdert.
Croydon pushes ahead with drive to hold former leaders to account
Croydon LBC has announced ‘unprecedented action’ to hold ex-senior leadership to account for ‘misconduct, wrongdoing and failures in governance’ that contributed to its financial collapse.
Seek transparency to avoid failure
The MJ’s series of articles on avoiding organisational failure continues with a look at transparency and accountability, including the importance of openness.
Cause of local authority audit delays ‘multi-faceted’
Stakeholders in the local audit system must continue efforts to secure timely publication of audited accounts, a report by auditor Grant Thornton has urged.