Audit
LGA calls for audit changes
Councils have called for auditors to be made to ‘act promptly and report on a timely basis’ when there are concerns within a particular authority.
Council defies audit recommendation to reinvestigate staff
West Dunbartonshire Council will not reopen an investigation into allegations of misconduct against officers - ignoring the recommendations of an audit watchdog.
Shining a light on the head of internal audit
Leaders of internal audit are operating in tough times, says Diana Melville, as she highlights the principles the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) has set out to support them in delivering a sustainable service.
Councils treated as 'spectators' in Universal Credit rollout
A council that has uncovered hundreds of thousands of pounds of Universal Credit (UC) over and underpayments has claimed local authorities are ‘spectators’ in rolling out the scheme.
Aberdeen breached procurement laws, audit finds
A city council breached procurement laws and may have spent public money on contracts without proper authorisation, an audit has found.
Spelthorne criticised over 'weaknesses' behind flagship property deal
An auditor has criticised ‘significant weaknesses’ in the decision-making behind Spelthorne BC’s multi-million pound BP Campus purchase.
Performance monitoring rap for Stirling
Stirling Council must have better processes for evaluating and reporting its performance so it can identify how to improve, a report by the Accounts Commission has said.
Hopes for legislative backing behind new code
An overhaul of financial management in councils could be enshrined in law, according to a consultation that stakeholders must respond to within days to influence.
Government review to look at council audit response
The Government will use its planned review of a key law to look at how councils respond to issues identified by auditors, The MJ has learnt.
Investigation launched into Grant Thornton's Interserve audits
A financial watchdog has announced an investigation into Grant Thornton over its auditing of Interserve.
Scottish councils lose more than £120m due to ‘weak’ financial controls
Systems to prevent public money being lost to mistakes and fraud in local government ‘may be under strain,’ a watchdog has warned.
Council property firm records losses
The property company run by Barking & Dagenham LBC has reported losses of almost £4m in its first year of operation.
Council should 'build on lessons learned' after critical review
King’s Lynn & West Norfolk BC should ‘build on the lessons learned’ from the construction of a state-of-the-art commercial workspace, the council’s chief executive has said.
Watchdog calls for 'transformational changes'
‘More fundamental, transformational changes are needed in service provision’ by Scottish councils, the chair of the Accounts Commission watchdog has said.
May defends 'record' SEND funding
Theresa May has defended her Government’s funding of special educational needs and disability (SEND) as she faces of a chorus of calls for more cash.
Public audit will soon need a spring clean
John Tizard and David Walker make the case for a new way of auditing how public money is spent that uses evidence before spending decisions are made - and includes a new office of the '3Es' (efficiency, effectiveness and equity).
Planning system ‘underperforming’
The Government’s planning system is ‘underperforming’ and struggling to deliver on its aim of building 300,000 homes a year, auditors have found.
NHS sustainability 'very difficult' without a long-term social care settlement
A series of significant National Audit Office reports on local services have emerged so far this year - and it is the most recent one on NHS financial sustainability that might have the greatest impact on local government, says Abdool Kara
Northampton undervalued housing stock by £86m
Northampton BC undervalued its housing stock by £86.7m, contributing to a delay of more than a year in completing its accounts.
Big audit firms may quit market
Larger audit firms may quit the local government market in the long-term, an independent review has found.