Finance Settlement
LGA to hit back at proposed council tax restrictions
The Local Government Association (LGA) is to fight proposals to restrict council tax rises to 2% without the holding of a referendum.
Jenrick hails 'biggest multi-billion pound spending increase in a decade'
Local government secretary Robert Jenrick has confirmed what he describes as the ‘biggest multi-billion pound spending increase for councils in a decade’.
First and foremost we need clarity on finance
Getting ‘Brexit Done’ should open up an oven-ready settlement for local government to implement real change, says chief executive of APSE Paul O’Brien.
What will Boris do next?
The new Government will need the sector’s help if it is to stand a chance of delivering the party’s ambitious domestic agenda, says Graeme McDonald. 'But the sector can only help if it is operating from a position of strength'.
Whitehall schtum as Gwynne calls for provisional settlement
Shadow local government secretary Andrew Gwynne has called on ministers to publish the provisional finance settlement immediately with Whitehall tight-lipped on its timing.
Minister warns austerity is not over
Welsh local government minister, Julie James, warned that austerity is not over as she announced the finance settlement.
This will be a different Conservative Government
Head of local government at Grant Thornton UK, Paul Dossett, says the fact that the Conservative majority has been won by gaining seats in towns in Wales, the Midlands and the north of England will make a difference.
All we want for Christmas is
In all, 2019 is a year epitomised more by deficiencies than its successes, says Heather Jameson. We are still awaiting the adult social care Green Paper; the Spending Review; the devolution framework; the local government finance settlement.
Employers delay response to 10% pay claim
Local government employers have told trade union leaders that they are unlikely to respond to their 10% pay claim before next year.
CIPFA chief warns of 'political Groundhog Day'
A continuing 'political Groundhog Day' is hitting local services 'that affect real people every day', according to the chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.
Solace Summit: President in collaboration call
A call for collaboration has been made in a speech to the Solace Summit by president Martin Swales.
Consultation opens on local government finance settlement
Consultation on the local government finance settlement for 2020/21 has been opened by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
Uncertainty does not bode well for the settlement
Michael Burton says 'the prosaic matter of local government finance seems to be taking a back seat'. Will new chief secretary to the Treasury Rishi Sunak finally be able to deliver on his February promise 'to get more certainty'?
West Midlands scrap plans for business rates hike
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has ruled out a rise in business rates for the region.
How can the financial settlement meet its deadline?
The clock is ticking on the countdown to publication of the financial settlement for 2020/21, says Michael Burton - but the timetable is 'spectacularly complex'.
LGA asks for review of revaluation deadline change
Proposed changes to business rates revaluations would prove ‘incredibly problematic’ for councils, it has been claimed.
Spending Review poses 'challenge' for fair funding
A minister has said a one-year settlement for local government would pose a ‘challenge’ for implementing the fair funding review in 2020/21.
Give cities the discretion to manage their finances
Andrew Carter says the spending cuts borne by cities for a decade need to end - but they need more control over how they raise and spend money locally if they are to build a sustainable long-term financial future.
Spending report attacks 'unambitious' ministry
Marsham Street has ‘an unacceptable lack of ambition’ for local government – with no aspiration for improving finances beyond merely ‘coping’, according to a scathing Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report.
Let's work as one sector on fair funding
Jill Penn says we're nearing the time when we will be discussing the next part of the fair funding debate with our county colleagues. Her hope is that we can continue to work as one sector - and with a clear focus on our residents