NAO
EXCLUSIVE: Sector fumes over lack of pre-Brexit briefing
Councils have threatened to walk away from Government attempts to engage with them on Brexit amid growing frustrations about the response to their concerns.
NAO to probe council commercialisation
Local authority commercialisation will further come under the spotlight, with the National Audit Office (NAO) preparing to launch an inquiry.
Public audit will soon need a spring clean
John Tizard and David Walker make the case for a new way of auditing how public money is spent that uses evidence before spending decisions are made - and includes a new office of the '3Es' (efficiency, effectiveness and equity).
NAO should oversee council spending - report
The remit of the National Audit Office (NAO) should be extended to cover local government, a new report has concluded.
NHS sustainability 'very difficult' without a long-term social care settlement
A series of significant National Audit Office reports on local services have emerged so far this year - and it is the most recent one on NHS financial sustainability that might have the greatest impact on local government, says Abdool Kara
Labour calls for NAO to intervene in fair funding review
Labour has called for the National Audit Office (NAO) to vet the outcome of the local government fair funding review.
Keeping up standards
As councils become increasingly commercial, auditors are asking how high standards of governance and accountability can be maintained in a more risky financial climate. Michael Burton reports on a National Audit Office/The MJ round table debate
Auditors bid to explain real cause of difference in councils' spend on kids
A nine-fold variation in spending on children’s social care could largely be down to ‘differences in characteristics’ between councils, according to a National Audit Office (NAO) study.
Are reports of the death of PFI an exaggeration?
Critics initially welcomed the announcement of the end of controversial PFI schemes. But central government and councils may continue to draw up contracts which use private finance-style mechanisms. Hiba Mahamadi asks what could lie ahead.
Monitoring officer review call
The organisation representing legal and governance council officers is to push for a Government review of the status of monitoring officers.
EXCLUSIVE: Councils warn Whitehall of Brexit risks
Councils this week started to formally inform Whitehall about their Brexit risk assessments amid fears of crime spikes, public demonstrations and food bottlenecks.
NAO calls for 'stronger leadership' from MHCLG
The Government must improve oversight and transparency over local authorities to ensure their financial sustainability, the National Audit Office (NAO) has said.
NAO highlights weak financial plans
The number of public bodies in England with weak financial plans is ‘unacceptably high,’ the National Audit Office (NAO) has found.
Davies to take on top job at National Audit Office
Gareth Davies has been put forward for appointment as comptroller and auditor general at the National Audit Office (NAO), replacing Sir Amyas Morse.
Government: Start preparing for no-deal Brexit
Ministers are ‘ramping up’ planning for a no-deal Brexit as the prospect becomes more likely.
Auditors launch governance and accountability inquiry
Whitehall’s watchdog has launched an investigation into local government governance and accountability that will be delivered to MPs next year.
'Tough enforcement action' brings in £1.2m
South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse DCs recovered more than £1.2m in council tax arrears after 'tough enforcement action,' latest figures have revealed.
Auditors warn councils over debt chasing
Funding pressures in local government could mean councils are pursuing debt repayments ‘too quickly and too aggressively,’ a report by national auditors suggested today.
Stop trying to explain away poor performance
The sector needs to be more open and honest about poor performance, writes Abdool Kara.
MHCLG to consider financial sustainability ahead of Spending Review
Marsham Street will embed its local authority sustainability tool in its preparations for next year’s Spending Review.