Audit
Audit verdict on broadband venture
Auditors have handed Aylesbury Vale DC 22 recommendations to improve its commercial projects after the sale of its broadband company.
Auditor attacks Northamptonshire reporting
Financial reporting at Northamptonshire CC was too ‘vague’ and lacked crucial detail prior to the county’s Section 114 notice, a new audit report has revealed.
Warning ahead of Big Four shake-up
A shake-up of the Big Four accountancy firms could lead to changes in the new sector-led audit procurement process.
Standards split between officers and councillors
Councillors and officers are divided over the future of the standards regime, with politicians backing the existing approach dismissed as a ‘toothless tiger’ by officials.
Chiefs attack 'light touch' approach to standards
England has been left with a ‘light touch approach to local government standards reliant on local codes, implementation and sanction,’ council chief executives have warned.
Accounts Commission: ALEOs could become less attractive option in future
Scotland’s 130 council ALEOs (Arms-Length External Organisations) could become a less attractive option in future, according to a report by a public spending watchdog.
CIPFA urges LOBO review
Finance experts have urged local authorities to review their Lender Option Borrower Option (LOBO) loans to ensure they are satisfied with their treatment in their accounts.
Cheapest bid first 'putting services at risk'
MPs investigating the Carillion insolvency have blasted the Government for putting public services at risk.
Whiteman in auditor warning
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) has warned external auditors could be ‘reduced to signing off the accounts and meeting the regulatory requirements’.
Auditor General takes swipe at Whitehall
Sir Amyas Morse warns departmental ‘lack of insight’ on local finance threatens services
Future Forum: Councils must heed auditor warnings
Local government could make the same compelling case for fresh Whitehall cash as the health sector – but must heed warnings from auditors, Sir Amyas Morse has told The MJ’s Future Forum.
Chief sought answers from building society over fraud
Dundee City Council’s chief executive sought assurances over anti-money laundering practices from a major building society following a £1.1m fraud by a former staff member, it has emerged.
Sweeping changes at council company
Concerns over ‘financial irregularities’ have led Northumberland Council to make sweeping changes in its wholly-owned development company, Arch.
Northants crisis could halt Oxfordshire reorganisation
Plans to reorganise local government in Oxfordshire may be stymied by communities secretary Sajid Javid’s intervention in neighbouring Northamptonshire, senior sources have claimed.
Council forced to exhaust reserves
Troubled Northamptonshire CC has taken a ‘last resort’ decision to exhaust its entire reserves as it struggles to agree a legal budget for 2018/19.
The Audit Commission needed its wings clipped but abolition was not the answer
Northamptonshire CC’s woes have been fuelled by a real-time experiment that failed, writes Andy Sawford.
Caller calls for council commissioners and carve-up
The inspector appointed by the Government to review Northamptonshire CC’s governance has suggested that commissioners should be appointed and two unitaries created, prompting the immediate resignation of leader, Cllr Heather Smith.
KPMG prepares to step back from local government audit
KPMG is preparing to step back from its local government audit work after failing to win any of the contracts under a new sector-led system.
Council scraps chief's role as part of transformation
Shepway DC is scrapping the role of chief executive as part of a transformation project that aims to streamline and reshape the council.
Tories oust leader as Northants signs off budget
Northamptonshire CC today signed off its redrafted budget – but the council’s leader has been ousted as head of the ruling Conservative group.