Oflog
Local elections: more than just a barometer for Rishi
Local elections do swing with national politics, but the full picture is far more nuanced, says Heather Jameson. 'More so now, as a gaping chasm opens up between the performance of the best and worst local authorities and mayors.'
Minister rules out Oflog role on audit
A minister has quashed suggestions oversight of audit should be handed to the Office for Local Government (Oflog).
Ministers in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones
The letter on councils’ productivity, sent by local government minister Simon Hoare this week, borders on farcical, says Heather Jameson.
Oflog should be handed audit oversight, MPs told
The Office for Local Government (Oflog) should be handed oversight of England’s broken audit regime – a role earmarked for the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) - accounting experts have told MPs.
Councils should get traffic light grading, say accountants
Oflog should grade councils using a traffic-light-style ranking system, chartered accountants have suggested.
Oflog co-design promises have been broken, say councils
Ministerial promises to ‘co-design’ the Office for Local Government (Oflog) with the sector have been broken, councils have claimed.
Oflog chair steps down
Lord Morse has announced he is stepping down as interim chair of the Office for Local Government (Oflog)
‘Of’ to a great start
Local government is poised like a coiled spring, ready for the new watchdog Oflog, desperate to keep up to speed with the latest developments.
Accountancy bodies clash over Oflog vision
A row has broken out between two chartered accountancy bodies that had committed to closer working.
What’s in a word?
Diary never underestimates the power of words.
Oflog should consolidate financial results monthly, say accountants
The Office for Local Government (Oflog) should consolidate the financial results and position of local authorities on a monthly basis, accountants have suggested.
Councils lobby for reduced audit fees amid backstop plan
Fees for councils should be slashed if auditors are forced to give qualified opinions due to failing to meet the backstop deadline later this year, English councils have said.
Woking and Thurrock failures 'embarrassing'
The local government watchdog’s chief executive has said the collapse of councils such as Woking and Thurrock should not have been allowed to happen.
CIPFA pleads for Oflog costs to be kept down
It is ‘unrealistic’ to think the Office for Local Government (Oflog) will not pile fresh resource pressures on councils, finance experts have warned.
Lending rates could spike after audit reset, LGA warns
Proposals to reset the local audit system and clear the backlog of accounts could drive up the lending rates offered to the sector, councils have warned.
LGA 'strengthens' peer challenge but still won't name and shame resistant councils
The Local Government Association (LGA) has launched its ‘strengthened’ corporate peer challenge (CPC) to help neutralise the threat from Oflog.
What are the chances of a Budget boost?
New SIGOMA analysis highlights the huge decline in funding in recent years and the sector desperately needs a boost, says Heather Jameson. 'But the chances of one arriving in a tax-slashing pre-election Budget are slim.'
Turning local goverment’s fortunes around
Kevin Muldoon-Smith and Mark Sandford look to Germany, Italy and Japan for inspiration as they put forward four proposals for transforming the fortunes of local government finance in England
Audit Commission fears continue to haunt Oflog
A senior sector figure has expressed concerns about the Office for Local Government’s (Oflog) direction of travel.
Oflog independence row stems from broken relationships
The concerns over Oflog’s independence illustrate councils’ low level of faith in Government, which stems from Government’s evident low level of faith in local authorities, says Paul Marinko.
