Commercial investment
Spelthorne undergoes finance peer review
A council branded reckless for excessively borrowing to buy up commercial property has undergone a finance peer review from the Local Government Association (LGA).
Croydon's property firm ‘entirely dependent’ on council funding
Croydon LBC has come in for heavy criticism over the performance of its property company.
More Section 114 notices predicted next year
Local authorities are facing deep cuts to frontline services and Section 114 notices next year, the sector has warned.
Spelthorne councillors to be more involved in commercial decisions after criticism
Spelthorne BC councillors will be more involved in future investment-related decisions after the council’s borrowing was criticised for ignoring government guidance.
Manchester predicts £136m budget gap
The city council is braced to take a hit to its income from its airport investments in 2021/22.
Spelthorne assets have 'continued to perform well'
A council criticised for borrowing millions of pounds to strike deals has said its assets have ‘continued to perform well’ despite the COVID-19 downturn.
Government intervention threat over code flouters
The Government has warned councils could be subject to statutory intervention if they continue to ignore the prudential framework.
private sector view
People are being displaced from jobs in the private sector, says practice director executive recruitment at Penna Enterprise Charles Wilson, 'but there are also opportunities in the public sector in interesting and varied roles'.
Before reorganisation we need a clear view of the sector's core purpose
How local government 'can sensibly be reorganised without a clear view of its core purpose (will adult social care services be in or out?) or funding mechanisms' is baffling Abdool Kara.
Council-owned energy company to close
Robin Hood Energy is to be closed by Nottingham City Council after five years.
Nottingham agrees governance overhaul
The council will implement a raft of measures in a bid to improve oversight of its companies after its energy firm incurred a £24m loss.
Warrington launches green energy bond
The council aims to raise £1m to fund a green energy project.
Nottingham moves to tighten governance of its companies
Nottingham City Council is to overhaul the governance of its commercial interests following failures at its energy firm.
Advisers offer neat solution to the rocky road ahead
As a raft of councils could face difficulties from their commercial investment, or just failing finances, the Birmingham model of non executive advisers offers a solution to all out intervention, says Heather Jameson
Auditors issue public interest report into Notts firm
Auditors have issued a public interest report into the failures of Nottingham City Council’s commercial firm, Robin Hood Energy.
Reckless councils are the exception, not the rule
Government should come down hard on financially reckless local authorities who lack good governance, says Cllr Chris Criscione – ‘but without ruining it for others who just want to build a better council for their residents’
Council writes off £24m debt
Nottingham City Council has written-off £24m of debt owed by its energy company, newly-released figures have shown.
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.
We must provide Luton with a bright future
Luton BC has agreed a ‘drastic’ emergency budget of £22m savings, and will ‘continue to bang loudly on the Government’s door’ for the finances it needs, says leader Hazel Simmons.
Leaders and laggers in a post-COVID world
In a post-modern world of local government we may well be looking at the survival of the fittest and councils could be heading for a ‘slow motion car crash into decline’, warns John Knight.
