CIPFA
Spending Review needs to embody 'strategic, systematic change'
At the Local Government Association (LGA) annual conference, Claire Kober noted the biggest shift in terms of what felt different was the marked deterioration in chief executive's confidence that they can keep on weathering the funding storm.
The uncertainty principle
Simone Hines says that when the variables are so great – e.g. a full business rates reset or no reset – 'it’s still hard to know where to pitch our financial position to members'.
Standards bearer
As communities secretary James Brokenshire launched a review of the local government audit regime, he spoke to Heather Jameson about his plans to drive governance and performance
Brokenshire unveils audit review
Details of an independent review that will look at the impact of reforms to local government audit were today announced by communities secretary James Brokenshire.
Bringing new members up to speed on funding
England’s new cadre of councillors need to navigate a perfect storm of financial challenges. How can finance directors help them cope successfully with the complexities they face? Ann McGauran reports
CIPFA to launch diversity strategy
A new diversity and inclusion strategy focused on finance professionals in the public sector will be launched this autumn.
Call for delay to finance system reforms
A group of London councils have called for the Government to delay its overhaul of the local government finance system until after Brexit.
Confidence collapses as statutory services face meltdown
Research by LGA reveals councils will struggle to meet legal obligations within three years.
Talking about tomorrow today
How can local leaders ensure the continued health of local government finances and deliver sustainable services, but recapture and retain the faith of their communities in their ability to achieve this? Rob Whiteman explains what needs to be done.
CIPFA to 'recraft' financial management code
A planned overhaul of financial management in councils will be ‘recrafted’ after treasurers rejected a draft code and called for wholesale changes.
Data quality concerns to come under spotlight
Finance directors are to look closely at the information the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government collects from local authorities amid data quality concerns.
It’s time to scrutinise scrutiny arrangements
A round table discussion highlighted key questions about what the Government should be doing, says Rob Whiteman, including whether, in the absence of an Audit Commission, it should provide some oversight and coordination to review common themes.
EXCLUSIVE: NAO to wade into fair funding review
The National Audit Office (NAO) is gearing up to scrutinise the Government’s divisive fair funding review, The MJ can reveal.
Uncertain wait for pension funds
Pension funds are mired in uncertainty as they wait to find out whether the Supreme Court accepts the Government’s request to appeal the McCloud case.
Call for 'long overdue' data collection review
A ‘root and branch review of Government data collection’ has been called for by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).
Funding’s stark reality needs an honest debate
The IFS concluded in its report that local government finances are broken and we need a national discussion on whether to raise taxes or cut services. Heather Jameson says the sector needs to be honest and open about the debate.
Councils on reserves danger list named
Eleven councils in danger of running out of reserves have been publicly named in the face of continuing concerns about the creation of league tables.
Fair funding review 'credibility' warning
The fair funding review could ‘lack credibility’ unless the Government steps up efforts to gather the most up-to-date data.
Crafting a solution for our sector’s funding
What the whole local government sector needs most is ‘stable, future-proofed planning’, says Rob Whiteman, and a one-year delay to the outcome of the fair funding review could be part of this process.
Whiteman calls for fair funding review delay
The fair funding review should be delayed until after the Spending Review, finance expert Rob Whiteman has suggested.