CIPFA
CIPFA index 'must be forward-looking'
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) must double down on efforts to include indicators that are forward-looking in its financial resilience index, a senior sector figure has suggested.
Jenrick to check councils' borrowing bids
New local government secretary Robert Jenrick will take a fresh look at councils excessively borrowing for commercial reasons, The MJ understands.
Learning lessons from LEPs
Aileen Murphie examines the role, progress and development of local enterprise partnerships from the eyes of the National Audit Office.
Can't we keep things simple?
Gary Fielding would much rather get his finance team off the accounts as quickly as possible and 'engaged in helping to provide financial management'.
Red card shown to traffic light rating
Controversial plans to issue a traffic light rating for every councils’ financial sustainability have finally been ditched following an outcry from the sector.
Rebuilding trust is a long-term ambition
Making local authority accounts more accessible to the modern-day user will help us shape a more transparent tomorrow, says Rob Whiteman
Audit separation call
A call has been made for auditors’ value for money work to be separated out from their wider work on councils’ financial statements.
LGA: Audit deadline should be pushed back
The July audit deadline should be pushed back to September 30 for future years, the Local Government Association (LGA) has told ministers.
Auditors may consider 'emerging risks'
Auditors could be given ‘more flexibility to consider emerging risks’ after the National Audit Office (NAO) said it would consider the move.
Dear Chancellor
As the dust settles on the Conservative leadership announcements, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s (CIPFA) Rob Whiteman writes an open letter to the new Chancellor Sajid Javid hoping for bold, transformative action.
CIPFA calls for auditing changes
The information currently reported publicly by auditors does not help taxpayers understand the key issues, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) has said.
Spending Review needs to embody 'strategic, systematic change'
At the Local Government Association (LGA) annual conference, Claire Kober noted the biggest shift in terms of what felt different was the marked deterioration in chief executive's confidence that they can keep on weathering the funding storm.
The uncertainty principle
Simone Hines says that when the variables are so great – e.g. a full business rates reset or no reset – 'it’s still hard to know where to pitch our financial position to members'.
Standards bearer
As communities secretary James Brokenshire launched a review of the local government audit regime, he spoke to Heather Jameson about his plans to drive governance and performance
Brokenshire unveils audit review
Details of an independent review that will look at the impact of reforms to local government audit were today announced by communities secretary James Brokenshire.
Bringing new members up to speed on funding
England’s new cadre of councillors need to navigate a perfect storm of financial challenges. How can finance directors help them cope successfully with the complexities they face? Ann McGauran reports
CIPFA to launch diversity strategy
A new diversity and inclusion strategy focused on finance professionals in the public sector will be launched this autumn.
Call for delay to finance system reforms
A group of London councils have called for the Government to delay its overhaul of the local government finance system until after Brexit.
Confidence collapses as statutory services face meltdown
Research by LGA reveals councils will struggle to meet legal obligations within three years.
Talking about tomorrow today
How can local leaders ensure the continued health of local government finances and deliver sustainable services, but recapture and retain the faith of their communities in their ability to achieve this? Rob Whiteman explains what needs to be done.