Finance
Council hit by £4.6m employment tribunal payout
A council that harassed and discriminated against one of its directors will look to appeal an ‘excessive’ £4.6m award for damages by an employment tribunal.
Councillors back Greater Lincolnshire devolution deal
Proposals for a mayoral devolution deal for Greater Lincolnshire have been approved by the three upper-tier councils.
Six observations from my time as PPMA president
Against a challenging backdrop for public services, PPMA president Gordon McFarlane sets out six key reflections from his two years at the helm.
Four-day week council decision 'disappointing and arrogant'
South Cambridgeshire DC’s decision to continue with its four-day week is ‘disappointing and arrogant,’ local government minister Simon Hoare has said.
Welsh council tax rises finalised
The average council tax rise for Welsh local authorities will be just over 8% next year.
No more Games
They say life is a marathon – not a sprint.
Don’t leave finance professionals short-changed
Andrew Tromans and Mizan Rouf outline the past and present recruitment challenges in public finance.
Who can solve the council tax conundrum?
In the latest of The MJ’s series outlining a new vision for local government, drawing from the Lyons review, Jon Rowney considers the options for council tax reform.
A quick fix – but is there any choice?
With news of capitalisation directions being given to several councils, Heather Jameson asks if this risky measure – designed to provide fiscal support – will ultimately provide greater problems down the line.
Partnership working is making major projects deliverable
Great Yarmouth's core spending power has more than halved between 2010-11 and 2023-24, but it has been particularly encouraging to see the council's work with a range of partners on regeneration bearing fruit, says Sheila Oxtoby.
EXCLUSIVE: No pay offer until after local elections
Local government employers will not make a pay offer until after the upcoming local elections in May, The MJ understands.
Tough times ahead for public services
Public finances face their toughest outlook for 80 years and there is no magical solution on the horizon following the Spring Budget, writes Nicole Wood.
Adult social care demand reaches unprecedented high
The King’s Fund’s annual social care report published today found adult care requests hit a record high of two million while costs for councils have outstripped inflation.
'Housing emergency' council calls for Whitehall action
A council that recently declared a housing emergency has written to six Whitehall departments, urging them to ‘take decisive action’ because the situation is deteriorating.
Oflog should consolidate financial results monthly, say accountants
The Office for Local Government (Oflog) should consolidate the financial results and position of local authorities on a monthly basis, accountants have suggested.
Desperately seeking a long-term diagnosis
A successful economy needs to be built around world-class infrastructure - and skilled, healthy people and public services are essential to the delivery of both, says Iain Murray.
Deprivation of Liberty backlog 'may never be eradicated'
A report has called for councils to get more resources to tackle the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) backlog.
Councils lobby for reduced audit fees amid backstop plan
Fees for councils should be slashed if auditors are forced to give qualified opinions due to failing to meet the backstop deadline later this year, English councils have said.
Experts in fresh push for fiscal devolution
An independent group of experts is preparing to pile pressure on ministers to back fiscal devolution, The MJ understands.
Let's start the debate on what the nation wants councils to do
Local government cannot go on delivering more and more for less and less, says leader of Buckinghamshire Council, Martin Tett.