Commercial investment
Intervention threat over 'unwise' investments
Councils have been warned the Government will intervene if they rely too much on commercial investments.
Merton to close development company
Councillors will be asked to wind up the authority’s development company next week without a brick being laid.
Government takes action over Nottingham’s ‘appalling’ finances
An expert panel will be appointed to ensure the council brings its budget under control.
Lawyers brought in over Towns Fund row
Legal advisers have been summoned to break a deadlock between civil servants and MPs over a key document relating to the Towns Fund.
MPs to investigate S114s amid Croydon collapse
MPs have launched an investigation into the financial predicament of councils in the aftermath of Croydon LBC’s Section 114 notice.
Spelthorne undergoes finance peer review
A council branded reckless for excessively borrowing to buy up commercial property has undergone a finance peer review from the Local Government Association (LGA).
Croydon's property firm ‘entirely dependent’ on council funding
Croydon LBC has come in for heavy criticism over the performance of its property company.
More Section 114 notices predicted next year
Local authorities are facing deep cuts to frontline services and Section 114 notices next year, the sector has warned.
Spelthorne councillors to be more involved in commercial decisions after criticism
Spelthorne BC councillors will be more involved in future investment-related decisions after the council’s borrowing was criticised for ignoring government guidance.
Manchester predicts £136m budget gap
The city council is braced to take a hit to its income from its airport investments in 2021/22.
Spelthorne assets have 'continued to perform well'
A council criticised for borrowing millions of pounds to strike deals has said its assets have ‘continued to perform well’ despite the COVID-19 downturn.
Government intervention threat over code flouters
The Government has warned councils could be subject to statutory intervention if they continue to ignore the prudential framework.
private sector view
People are being displaced from jobs in the private sector, says practice director executive recruitment at Penna Enterprise Charles Wilson, 'but there are also opportunities in the public sector in interesting and varied roles'.
Before reorganisation we need a clear view of the sector's core purpose
How local government 'can sensibly be reorganised without a clear view of its core purpose (will adult social care services be in or out?) or funding mechanisms' is baffling Abdool Kara.
Council-owned energy company to close
Robin Hood Energy is to be closed by Nottingham City Council after five years.
Nottingham agrees governance overhaul
The council will implement a raft of measures in a bid to improve oversight of its companies after its energy firm incurred a £24m loss.
Warrington launches green energy bond
The council aims to raise £1m to fund a green energy project.
Nottingham moves to tighten governance of its companies
Nottingham City Council is to overhaul the governance of its commercial interests following failures at its energy firm.
Advisers offer neat solution to the rocky road ahead
As a raft of councils could face difficulties from their commercial investment, or just failing finances, the Birmingham model of non executive advisers offers a solution to all out intervention, says Heather Jameson
Auditors issue public interest report into Notts firm
Auditors have issued a public interest report into the failures of Nottingham City Council’s commercial firm, Robin Hood Energy.
