Business
LGA: External audit firms need to address their shortcomings
Town hall leaders have said external audit firms ‘need to address their shortcomings’ to improve the timeliness of audits.
Pension fund stands firm on fossil fuel investments
The West Yorkshire Pension Fund (WYPF) has knocked back a call from trustee Kirklees MBC for it to stop investing in firms that produce fossil fuels.
EXCLUSIVE: Councils brace themselves for local government exit pay cap
Councils are bracing themselves for the return of exit pay cap proposals as Whitehall officials draw up plans specific to the sector.
Thanet issued with rare Section 24
‘Serious concerns about the ability of senior officers to work together’ has led to cash-strapped Thanet DC being issued with a rare Section 24 notice.
Councils warned of 'shocking' audit fee increase
Councils have been warned they could face audit fee increases of more than £20,000.
Warrington to be hit by statutory recommendation
Auditors are expected to issue a statutory recommendation over Warrington Council’s minimum revenue position (MRP) amid ongoing concern over its investment strategy and financial health.
Future Forum: Top recruiter predicts exodus
A top recruiter has predicted a senior-level exodus from the sector.
Council accuses government of ignoring planned legal challenge
Blackpool Council has accused the Home Office and Serco of ignoring a planned legal challenge over the placement of 150 asylum seekers at a hotel.
Jamieson urges councils to sign up to national audit procurement
The Local Government Association’s (LGA) chairman has urged councils to sign up for the national scheme for auditor appointments despite admitting disappointment with external audit’s operation.
Row over extra social care funding
The Welsh Local Government Association has hit out at the ‘insulting and unsubstantiated comments’ of Care Forum Wales following the announcement of extra funding for the country’s councils.
Welsh Government looks at holiday home reforms
Holiday home owners in Wales could be charged the full amount of business rates amid claims people are being priced out of their local area.
'No end in sight' as bin strike continues
Trade union Unite has accused Bexley LBC of failing to deal with an ongoing industrial dispute that has caused six weeks of bin strikes.
Farrans awarded care home contract
Plans for a new £13m care home in Leighton Buzzard have moved a step closer after Central Bedfordshire Council awarded Farrans the build contract.
‘Shameless’ COVID fraudsters targeted 41 councils
The actions of two companies that attempted to defraud dozens of councils out of COVID grants have been labelled ‘despicable’.
Essex draws on reserves to fund legal dispute
Essex CC is drawing down £13m of reserves to fund an ongoing legal dispute over a failed waste scheme.
Cheltenham chooses developer for landmark cyber park
Cheltenham BC has chosen its preferred development partner for the £1bn first phase of The Golden Valley Development, part of the council’s Cyber Central project.
PwC to help Nottingham transformation vision
Nottingham City Council will pay consultancy PwC £400,000 to help draw up its ‘vision for what it wishes to achieve through transformation’.
EXCLUSIVE: Special needs demand increases for every council
Demand for education, health and care plans (EHCP) has increased for every council in the last three years, new analysis has revealed.
Tory council criticised over shopping centre purchase
A Conservative-led Surrey council has been criticised for failing to follow ‘good practice’ during its purchase of a shopping centre.
Government needs to prep SMEs for net-zero
The Government needs to step up its COP26 campaigns to get small and medium sized businesses ready for net-zero, the chair of a Parliamentary committee has warned.
