Improvement
A fork in the road to austerity
Could CIPFA’s plans to create a financial resilience index for councils help rescue local government from further catastrophe? Nathan Elvery explains why he thinks a ‘traffic light’ rating could be heading down the wrong road.
County chiefs show red to traffic light ratings
County council chief executives have broken cover to warn that plans for a traffic light-style financial resilience rating system ‘risk over-simplifying complex issues’.
Powys CC chief executive to leave
Powys CC chief executive Jeremy Patterson is to leave the authority after almost 10 years in the role, the council has announced.
£2m Capita repayment after 'fraud'
Contractor Capita has been forced to repay £2m to Barnet LBC following an alleged fraud by an ex-member of staff within joint venture project Re.
Brokenshire considering new devolution models
James Brokenshire is considering new models of devolution as he seeks to extend further powers to local areas, the communities secretary has insisted.
Watchdog hails leadership at Scottish council
Scotland’s public spending watchdog has hailed the improved leadership of councillors and officers at West Dunbartonshire Council.
Brum 'not tackling issues quickly enough'
‘Crucial issues’ with the running of Birmingham City Council raised by Lord Kerslake in a report four years ago have ‘not been tackled quickly enough,’ the authority has been told.
Peers tell council to match words with action
Herefordshire Council has been told to ‘turn positive rhetoric into reality’ following a peer review.
Northants commissioners plead for patience
Commissioners appointed to stabilise Northamptonshire CC this week asked for patience amid snowballing member frustrations about the way they have operated since taking office.
Surrey has 'improved' since Parsons Green bomb
Surrey CC has insisted it has made improvements since the Parsons Green bomber partially exploded a device on a tube train, injuring 51 people.
Government told to return control to Rotherham
Rotherham MBC should be handed back full control of its services, ministers have been told.
Northamptonshire intervention bolsters sector's credit quality
Local government’s high credit quality has been bolstered by the Government’s intervention at Northamptonshire, an expert has said.
Auditor attacks Northamptonshire reporting
Financial reporting at Northamptonshire CC was too ‘vague’ and lacked crucial detail prior to the county’s Section 114 notice, a new audit report has revealed.
More hard work required at Barnet
Senior leaders at Barnet LBC are ‘fully aware there are still areas of considerable challenge before practice is of a good standard,’ Ofsted has reported.
Council told to 'grip financial situation'
Somerset CC must ‘grip its financial situation’ and become more focussed on its ‘immediate financial challenges,’ a group of Local Government Association peers have urged.
Northampton unitary plan falls
The tight timeframe for reorganising local government across Northamptonshire claimed its first victim this week despite ministers’ decision to extend the consultation period.
Kemp: Liverpool have questions to answer
Liverpool is under pressure to answer questions about its appointment of an interim chief and what senior figures knew about allegations against two former executives.
Peers suggest public-private partnership
Isle of Wight Council is to consider creating a partnership of public and private sector stakeholders.
Progress amid continuing failure at Croydon
Croydon LBC is making progress in turning around its struggling children’s services, but is still failing the most vulnerable youngsters in its care, watchdog Ofsted has said.
Brokenshire announces Northamptonshire commissioners
New local government secretary James Brokenshire has announced the two commissioners appointed to help rescue troubled Northamptonshire CC.