S114
'Simply not enough money in sector,' says outgoing leader
The outgoing leader of Nottingham City Council has said there ‘simply isn’t enough money’ in local government to ‘run the services our citizens depend on’.
Public inquiry into Thurrock’s financial failure rejected
The Government has rejected a request for a public inquiry into Thurrock Council’s financial failure and levels of debt.
Don’t leave finance professionals short-changed
Andrew Tromans and Mizan Rouf outline the past and present recruitment challenges in public finance.
A quick fix – but is there any choice?
With news of capitalisation directions being given to several councils, Heather Jameson asks if this risky measure – designed to provide fiscal support – will ultimately provide greater problems down the line.
Carving out a financial solution
With local government currently in the spotlight in General Election year, Dr Jonathan Carr-West looks at ways councils can capitalise to make their case for funding reforms.
Shifting the dial on moral hazard
Robert Weaver looks at the extent to which moral hazard and non-financial risks need to be understood by the sector to help ensure robust governance arrangements.
Moving forward after failure
Ed Hammond considers the governance challenges facing members under section 114 and other models of oversight and the implications for member-officer relationships.
Government's asset sale plan: Short-term fix or long-term disaster?
Selling council assets may provide a quick fix of cash, but cuts off future revenue supplies and worsens budget deficits, warns Thomas Howard.
Government agrees £2.5bn of capitalisation directions
A total of 19 councils have agreed in-principle capitalisation directions worth almost £2.5bn with the Government.
14 councils ‘likely’ to issue s114s next year
More than half of councils are likely to issue a section 114 notice within the next Parliament unless funding is reformed, senior local authority figures have warned.
Cuts put hard squeeze on most deprived councils
New analysis reveals upper tier local authorities in the most deprived decile have seen a real-terms cut in their core spending power of more than a quarter since 2010-11, says Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton.
Thurrock boosted by £500m after sale
Thurrock Council has received £510m in payments following the sale of Toucan Energy Holdings – the firm that triggered a section 114 notice when it collapsed.
Brum proposes £300m cuts
Cash-strapped Birmingham City Council will cut spending on services by £300m to balance its books.
Getting the house in order
Martin Ford speaks to sector experts about what is fuelling the risks of Housing Revenue Accounts going into deficit and what action could be taken to reduce the burdens on councils.
Government timetable could push councils to issue section 114s, treasurers warn
The Government’s proposed timeline for implementing changes to tackle risky borrowing by some councils could end up pushing local authorities into section 114 territory, district treasurers have warned.
Sunak doesn't accept the council tax system is broken
Without the additional £17m a year Somerset Council could have generated through council tax the future looks very bleak indeed, says leader Bill Revans.
Senior Nottingham councillors refuse to back budget cuts
Senior members of cash-strapped Nottingham City Council have refused to recommend a report that proposed £20m in budget cuts.
Council tax bands need a regional overhaul
Heather Jameson asks: 'Will any incoming government rush to reform council tax? Will they be braver and take on wider public finance reform?'
Reform council tax to level up
Henri Murison says the archaic council tax system has to change – and work should begin immediately on a revaluation of all properties in England before the General Election.
A hike too far?
The Government has allowed some authorities to hike council tax while refusing Somerset Council’s bid to take the same step. Meanwhile, the system remains ‘highly regressive’. Ann McGauran reports.