NAO
Interactive map to be created for council audits
The National Audit Office (NAO) is working on creating an interactive map helping members of the public find out the outcome of their council’s audit.
MHCLG spent £85m preparing for EU Exit
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spent a total of £85m preparing for EU Exit up to the end of January this year, says a new report today from the National Audit Office (NAO).
McManus to speak on coronavirus planning
The vice president of the Association of Directors of Public Health, Jim McManus, is to address chief executive delegates about planning for coronavirus at The MJ Future Forum later this month.
Alarm bells over £6.6bn property spending spree
Auditors have suggested an overhaul of council borrowing and investment rules may be needed after ‘alarm bells’ were triggered by billions of pounds of spending.
Let councils invest or pay up with funding
Tighter controls on local government's investments may be on the way – but central Government will have to make a decision: fund councils or let them fund themselves, says Heather Jameson.
Sizing up the efficiency problem
If delivering efficiency is a driver for local government there are reasons to believe there may be a ‘right size’ for authorities, but as Abdool Kara reveals, history suggests other factors are at play.
NAO to probe one-off Government funding pots
The National Audit Office (NAO) is to probe the effect of the Government’s shift towards one-off and short-term funding initiatives.
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.
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.
EXCLUSIVE: MHCLG puts itself on no-deal footing
Whitehall Brexit operations centres sprang into action yesterday as the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) put itself on a no-deal footing.
Yellowhammer activated amid no-deal Brexit fears
Kent CC has insisted it is ‘business as usual’ as the Government activated Operation Yellowhammer because the risk of a no-deal Brexit had ‘increased’.
Putting our finances on a secure footing
Andrew Burns examines how councils can ensure financial sustainability and put local services on the right path.
Call for new audit oversight body
A new type of oversight body for local audit that would take a strategic approach to addressing the sector’s sustainability challenges is needed, a top auditor has suggested.
What is the future for audit?
Paul Dossett puts the case for a new type of oversight body for local audit that would take a strategic approach to addressing the sector’s sustainability challenges.
Election and Brexit could hit peer review plans
A General Election before March would put the Local Government Association (LGA) at risk of failing to deliver the number of peer challenges demanded by Whitehall.
Extracting more value from local audit
Abdool Kara says the sharper focus on value for money and the expectation of clearer, more timely reporting is perhaps the most noticeable difference between the NAO's new Code of Audit Practice now out for consultation and the current code.
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.
The true value of showing your support
Cllr Izzi Seccombe outlines the benefits of a new recruitment and development scheme to help those in Warwickshire with special educational needs and disabilities gain entry to the workforce.
Treasurers lobby to challenge auditors
County treasurers have called for changes to allow councils to better contest conclusions that auditors reach.
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.
