CIPFA
Whiteman criticises lack of prevention focus in productivity demands
Some ministerial productivity demands are ‘populist nonsense’ more likely to appear in election campaigns than ‘plug material gaps’ in council finances, an expert has warned.
We need to measure prevention spend
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy will seek to answer how much are we currently spending on prevention, says chief executive Rob Whiteman.
Oflog should be handed audit oversight, MPs told
The Office for Local Government (Oflog) should be handed oversight of England’s broken audit regime – a role earmarked for the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) - accounting experts have told MPs.
LGA looks to do more to help officers
The Local Government Association (LGA) is looking to do more to help officers fulfil their roles as part of a policy shift for the politically-led organisation.
Retrograde is no way to fund financial recovery
If councils call out the Government for glossing over the facts, they must ensure terms such as balancing the budget and capitalisation are not matters of ‘spin’, says Rob Whiteman.
Solace at 50
As Solace hits its 50th anniversary – alongside the anniversary of the 1974 local government reorganisation – Heather Jameson looks at the highlights of an essay collection launched to mark the occasion.
Wanted: fiscal reform not fiscal frustration
'To bemoan any Government’s inability to take difficult political decisions when it has been in power for 14 years is to wriggle out of collective responsibility', says Heather Jameson.
Accountancy bodies clash over Oflog vision
A row has broken out between two chartered accountancy bodies that had committed to closer working.
Don’t leave finance professionals short-changed
Andrew Tromans and Mizan Rouf outline the past and present recruitment challenges in public finance.
Books and beyond
Head of libraries at GLL Rebecca Gediking describes how innovation and adaptation are at the heart of a successful, modern library service.
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.
Desperately seeking a long-term diagnosis
A successful economy needs to be built around world-class infrastructure - and skilled, healthy people and public services are essential to the delivery of both, says Iain Murray.
There is no quick fix
The announcement of £2.5bn of ‘exceptional financial support’ for councils will fail to fix local government’s finances, a senior sector figure has said.
Growth matters
Tom Stannard talks to Ann McGauran about why strengthening local government’s economic development and regeneration role is crucial if the UK is to drive forward on growth.
Selling the family silver is a mistake
The Government is Incentivising councils to sell off publicly-owned assets, 'but these flexibilities should not become business as usual and they are not a sufficient substitute for a reform of our broken funding system', warns Rob Whiteman.
CIPFA pleads for Oflog costs to be kept down
It is ‘unrealistic’ to think the Office for Local Government (Oflog) will not pile fresh resource pressures on councils, finance experts have warned.
Mapley to take over from Whiteman at CIPFA
Hertfordshire CC boss Owen Mapley will take over as Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) chief executive officer when Rob Whiteman retires, it has been announced.
Accountancy bodies move to offer dual membership
Two accountancy bodies are putting the ‘finishing touches’ to the registration process for an accelerated route to dual membership.
In praise of a useful financial firebreak
A section s114 notice does not provide a ready-made solution to councils’ funding problems, but it is an important first step on the long and difficult road to redemption, says Iain Murray.
Providing piecemeal offerings fails to fix the underlying causes
'As the public sector purse becomes tighter at a time when demand outstrips supply, a longer-term strategic style of service delivery emerges as a platform for reform', says Rob Whiteman.
