Budgets
North Yorkshire unitary to inherit ‘frightening’ deficit
North Yorkshire’s new unitary council could inherit a budget deficit of £50m, it has been revealed.
Max calls councils out
Former London borough chief Max Caller has carved out a niche for himself as a serial reviewer of failing authorities. He tells Heather Jameson what he has learned – and how councils can avoid collapse.
Councillors ‘undermining’ improvements at Wirral
The actions of members at Wirral MBC are threatening efforts to improve the council’s finances, according to its Independent Assurance Panel.
Local Government Research Centre under threat from job losses
The future of the Local Government Research Centre (LGRC) is under threat following the announcement of jobs restructuring and redundancies at De Montfort University (DMU).
Putting purpose before profit for our children
Dominic Campbell says it’s time to build ventures that can put purpose ahead of profiteering – and fostering is just one of the areas being tackled by a new not-for-profit co-conceived with local authority partners.
I am confident our teams in Cornwall will ride the storm
It feels like Cornwall Council is more positive about its transformed future, despite having to achieve a budget reduction of £60m for 2022-23, says Tracie Langley.
'There's no more cash' warns Clarke
There will be no more cash to bail out public sector budgets hit by soaring inflation Treasury chief secretary Simon Clarke has warned.
A critical time to secure funding – but help is at hand
There is willingness to rationalise the number of funding pots, but no sign of Government giving up on the competitive process. Local Partnerships is working with councils to help them prioritise and assess investment wishlists, says Martin Forbes.
The dogs that didn’t bark
Little was said in last week’s Spring Statement about either levelling up or inflationary pressures on public sector budgets, says Michael Burton.
Assume the brace position
The real impact of the cost of living crisis is yet to really unfold and, as for council finances, we probably need to brace ourselves for a tough few years, says Chris Tambini.
Counties warn of school transport crisis
Hikes in fuel costs are meaning local authorities are having pay providers significantly more, according to a report published by the County Councils Network (CCN) today.
Lower paid workers set to benefit from spring statement
Lower paid council workers are set to benefit from a series of eye-catching announcements in Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s spring statement today.
Government confirms Copeland bailout
The Government has granted Copeland BC’s request for a capitalisation direction worth up to £1.5m.
Uncertain future for Scottish councils' finances
The Accounts Commission found councils were grappling with funding reductions and restrictions as they prepare to meet significant challenges.
Finance teams are ready to manage risks
Budgets may have been finalised and approved, but the hard work is far from over for finance teams, says Tracie Langley.
Now is the time for London councils to step up to the plate on integration
Councils must seize the day if they’re to make the most of the opportunity to deliver life-changing integration with the NHS in London, says Cllr Danny Thorpe.
Putting Brent’s residents at the heart of climate action
Brent LBC introduced resident-led decision making on how to spend local money to cut carbon emissions. Shazia Hussain explains the thinking behind the trailblazing Participatory Budgeting approach.
Slough to request £478m of Government support
The council estimates it will require £478m of capitalisation directions or other support from the Government to balance its books.
How to manage an end of year underspend
Alex Jackson looks at how to get best value from an end of year underspend and how to use the money to make programmes, projects and teams more sustainable.
'Underfunded' adult social care reforms put services at risk, warn councils
The underfunding of social care reforms will put the quality and availability of services at risk, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.
