NAO
New not-for-profit audit supplier suggested
A not-for-profit audit supplier could be created to work alongside existing and any new firms entering the market, it has been suggested.
EXCLUSIVE: NAO to wade into fair funding review
The National Audit Office (NAO) is gearing up to scrutinise the Government’s divisive fair funding review, The MJ can reveal.
Dawes orders review of review after ministry makes same error again
The Government may have to pay out up to £15m to councils after it made yet another error in its business rate pilot administration.
Cliffs, knives and U2
Abdool Kara is not sure that falling over or off cliffs is the right metaphor for what we could see in local government if the current funding trajectory continues.
Talking about the bespoke approach
Dan Peters reports from a recent round table hosted by The MJ and the National Audit Office, which explored new interest in and conditions for commercialisation as a process that can help councils save money and generate funds
The cost of the care challenge
The recent collapse into administration of care provider Four Seasons has highlighted the huge financial pressures the sector faces. Michael Burton examines the figures
Whiteman calls for fair funding review delay
The fair funding review should be delayed until after the Spending Review, finance expert Rob Whiteman has suggested.
LGA calls for audit changes
Councils have called for auditors to be made to ‘act promptly and report on a timely basis’ when there are concerns within a particular authority.
EXCLUSIVE: Fight for oversight
Brokenshire moves to impose fresh conditions on ‘top slice’ cash
NAO: Government must do more to ensure LEP value for money
The Government has been reprimanded for not doing enough to ensure billions of pounds given to local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) are delivering value for money.
Call for greater focus on culture change in integration drive
Huge cultural and behavioural differences between health and care need more consideration, consultancy Impower has urged.
Government review to look at council audit response
The Government will use its planned review of a key law to look at how councils respond to issues identified by auditors, The MJ has learnt.
Kara: Financial sustainability about more than just money
The key ingredients of financial sustainability have been outlined by a senior sector figure speaking at The MJ’s Future Forum.
NAO floats auditing overhaul
The way auditors examine council accounts could be overhauled, the National Audit Office (NAO) has suggested.
Government brushes off Kara criticism
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has brushed off criticism from a top auditor.
EXCLUSIVE: Councils call for streamlined new burdens for Brexit
Councils have urged the Government to introduce a more streamlined approach to providing new burdens funding for Brexit-related costs, The MJ has learnt.
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.