governance
Northumberland 'concern' over company finances
Northumberland CC is looking to exert more control over its wholly-owned property firm after it posted losses of £30m.
Northampton accepts censure over loan
Northampton BC has accepted a public interest report that heavily criticised its financial governance but warned its response will be ‘limited’.
Why is central government not listening?
The pandemic has given local authorities the opportunity to shine and demonstrate to government that we can work effectively together, argues Blair Mcpherson.
Creating adaptive leadership in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester needs courageous leaders to ‘design forward differently’, says David Jackson of the Innovation Unit.
Northampton dealings with football club ‘unlawful’
‘Significant failures of corporate governance’ at Northampton BC may have been unlawful, an auditor has found in a public interest report.
Legal advice sought in fight to keep remote meetings
Local government officers are seeking legal advice to work out if councils can continue to hold meetings remotely without a change to the law.
McArdle drafted in to help Croydon
The lead commissioner at Northamptonshire CC, Tony McArdle, has been appointed to chair Section 114-hit Croydon LBC’s government improvement panel.
Calling a halt to sinking standards
It is two years since the Committee for Standards in Public Life (CSPL) published its report, Local Government Ethical Standards. But the Government ‘has yet to respond or seemingly start work on implementing recommendations’, says Graeme McDonald.
Nottingham plans £100m asset sale
The council has identified £100m of assets for sale as part of a plan to bring its finances under control.
Extra scrutiny for council companies
Senior councillors will receive a confidential quarterly report on the performance of all Warrington Council companies after two external reviews into the authority’s commercial approach.
Devolution boost for Scots councils as Bill is backed
Devolution to councils in Scotland has taken a step forward after the Scottish Government announced its support today for a private members Bill.
The success of local authority companies relies on effective governance
Council-owned companies have a valuable role in local government, but clarity over their purpose and governance is vital argues John Copps.
Revolution for Welsh local democracy
The Welsh Government’s Local Government and Elections Bill is not a technical and legalistic charter, says Welsh local government minister Julie James. Rather, it will ‘positively transform the experience of democratic engagement and empowerment’
S151 officers warned off pensions roles
Section 151 officers have been discouraged from taking on new pensions governance roles.
Public interest report issued over 'financial fiasco' at Croydon
Croydon LBC has been accused of ‘corporate blindness’ by external auditors in a public interest report on the council’s finances.
The LGA ‘can and should do better’ on standards
The Local Government Association’s draft member code of conduct does not include an independent mechanism for holding councillors to account, says Donald Graham.
Staffing presented ‘real and present risk’ to council
Cotswold DC is bolstering its senior officer team following criticism in a corporate peer challenge.
EXCLUSIVE: Whitehall draws up early warning system
The Government is plotting to create an early warning system alerting Whitehall to councils that may be in trouble, The MJ can reveal.
We share the Redmond Review's key aims
CIPFA supports the key objective of the Redmond Review to ensure the statutory framework for local government financial reporting aids transparency and accountability, and its focus on longer-term sustainability is vital, says Rob Whiteman.
Section 114 warning for troubled Thanet
The Section 151 officer of troubled Thanet DC has warned he may be forced to issue a Section 114 notice.
