Consultation
Treasurer concern at isolation of audit reviews
Council treasurers have expressed concerns that two consultations on the future of audit are being carried out in isolation, The MJ understands.
Sheffield blames austerity for planning proposals
Sheffield City Council has blamed austerity for proposals to cut the number of officers in its planning department.
Delayed audit council names kept under wraps
The 150 councils where auditors were unable to issue an opinion by the end of September are expected to escape being named and shamed.
Audit fees could rise
Fees could rise if the new code of audit practice changes the scope of auditors’ work, the sector has been warned.
Council scraps chief's post
Hertsmere BC has scrapped the post of chief executive as part of a move to a ‘more cost-effective management structure’.
The MJ Data and Digital: Croydon consultation goes digital
When Neil Williams launched Croydon LBC’s digital strategy, he opened up the consultation online. He explains to Heather Jameson how it works.
DfE defends value of key working group
The Department for Education (DfE) has insisted it values a key service working group despite it not routinely reporting back to ministers.
New audit code to bring commentary requirement
Auditors will have to issue a commentary on councils’ financial sustainability, governance and how they are improving economy, efficiency and effectiveness under a new code.
Commissioners urge NAO to monitor auditor powers
The National Audit Office (NAO) should monitor auditors’ use of additional powers and use this to produce a report to help identify sector-wide risks and issues, the Government-appointed commissioners overseeing under-fire Northamptonshire CC (NCC) have urged.
Local audit at a 'crossroads'
Local audit is at a ‘crossroads’ and needs to provide ‘better assurance and more impact for the public,’ Grant Thornton has said.
Audit separation call
A call has been made for auditors’ value for money work to be separated out from their wider work on councils’ financial statements.
Auditors may consider 'emerging risks'
Auditors could be given ‘more flexibility to consider emerging risks’ after the National Audit Office (NAO) said it would consider the move.
CIPFA calls for auditing changes
The information currently reported publicly by auditors does not help taxpayers understand the key issues, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) has said.
Emergency settlement call as councils face financial cliff-edge
Calls have been made by a think-tank for a one-year emergency local government settlement with councils facing a ‘financial cliff-edge’.
Councils hit out at standardisation drive
Council figures have hit out at a government consultation to standardise recycling across the country.
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.
EXCLUSIVE: £95k exit cap regulations are 'lawyers' charter to print money'
Government regulations introducing a £95,000 cap on local government exit payments are a ‘lawyers’ charter to print money,’ the trade union representing the most senior managers in the sector is expected to tell Whitehall.
EXCLUSIVE: New protocol to ease council tensions
A protocol encouraging best practice between councils will be drawn up by the Local Government Association (LGA) as tensions grow around increasing out of area placements, The MJ understands.
Delay to Northamptonshire reorganisation welcomed
Council leaders have welcomed the year-long delay to plans to create two new unitaries in Northamptonshire.
EXCLUSIVE: Treasurers reject financial management plan
Treasurers have called for wholesale changes to a planned overhaul of financial management in councils as they rejected a draft code.