Budgets and efficiency
Early days for motion
It was a heartfelt message of thanks to local authorities that went out from Green Party MP Caroline Lucas.
Crisis-hit Croydon approves action plan
Croydon LBC has approved an action plan to put ‘strong financial management and governance right at the heart of the organisation’.
Government stop-gap on SEND deficits
Treasurers have welcomed a second government attempt to deal with spiralling special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) deficits but have stressed it is ‘not sustainable’.
Counties warn of dramatic frontline cuts
Just one in five County Councils’ Network (CCN) members are confident of agreeing a balanced budget next year without dramatic reductions to frontline services, a new survey has revealed.
EXCLUSIVE: Sector faces 'second lost decade'
The local government sector has been warned it faces a ‘second lost decade’ as a new index revealed the most financially vulnerable district councils.
Future Forum: Business rates retention is doomed
Moves to fund local government using the proceeds from business rates are ‘doomed,’ according to a financial expert.
Croydon would have issued s114 'in normal circumstances'
Croydon LBC’s £49m total net forecast general fund overspend means it would have had to have issued a Section 114 notice in ‘normal circumstances,’ senior councillors have heard.
Peterborough seeks financial rescue package
Peterborough City Council is in talks with the Government over plans to rescue its finances.
£260m funding boost for Welsh councils
Welsh ministers have announced a £260m funding boost for councils, bringing the total amount of government COVID-19 support to almost half a billion pounds.
Ex-ministers unite in health devolution call
Five former ministers from all three main parties have called for health and social care to be devolved and integrated within a single budget.
Oxfordshire looks to bridge £16m budget gap
The council plans to delay service overhauls in a bid to cover a £16m budget shortfall this year due to the coronavirus crisis.
Council to take commercialisation to 'next level'
Senior Ashford BC councillors will accelerate their approach to commercialisation to the ‘next level’ amid uncertainty over future government funding and a COVID-19 budget hit.
Smaller top team will 'reduce capacity'
Bexley LBC has admitted that proposals for a smaller top team will reduce its capacity over the short and medium-term.
EXCLUSIVE: Croydon reaches out for MHCLG lifeline
Croydon LBC is understood to have made initial contact with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) as it approaches Section 114 territory, The MJ understands.
Spending controls for Ealing
Senior Ealing LBC councillors have agreed to introduce strict and wide-ranging controls on spending as the council seeks to balance its budget.
Council may have to issue s114, warns CIPFA
Windsor & Maidenhead RBC may not be able to set a legal budget in future years and may have to issue a Section 114 notice, finance experts have warned.
Manchester at risk of failing to fulfil statutory duties
Manchester City Council’s leader has expressed fears that the council will be unable to fulfil its statutory duties.
Financial crisis for capital's councils to stretch into 2021/22, MPs warned
The financial crisis facing London’s councils will stretch beyond the end of this financial year, the capital’s MPs have been warned.
Luton budget warning
Slashing millions of pounds from Luton BC’s budget would be catastrophic for the town, trade unions have warned.
Croydon faces 20% overspend
The London borough is facing an overspend of more than £60m – one fifth of its budgeted expenditure – at the end of the financial year.
