Council Tax
A model answer to funding questions
The IFS-CIPFA Local Government Finance Model is intended to help councils with their medium-to- longer term financial planning in a context of uncertain finance pressures and as-yet unspecified funding reforms, says David Phillips.
Targeting future opportunities
LGA conference plenary speaker Ben Page looks at the challenges and opportunities for councils in the post-pandemic 2020s, including more diverse communities and the need for massive structural change in planning.
Ministers must stop flip-flopping over commercial deals
Heather Jameson says ministers should 'stop the policy flip-flop over commercialisation – choose a stance and stick with it'.
Regulator finds ‘competition concerns’ with Veolia and Suez merger
A merger of the waste management firms Veolia and Suez could lead to a loss of competition and an increase in costs for local authorities, a regulator has warned.
Councils apologise for rebate errors
Swale BC has apologised for taking money out of the accounts of direct debit holders while Leeds City Council mistakenly sent out two payments to thousands of households.
Councils need radical thinking at a time of crisis
Professor Richard Murphy says councils need to cooperate to tackle the multiple crises faced by communities, and he puts forward four ways of addressing social need.
Cost of living crisis risks leaving levelling up ‘dead on arrival’
The Government’s levelling up agenda could be undermined by a deepening North-South divide exacerbated by the cost of living crisis, a think tank has warned.
Councils take up care precept to boost income
Almost all eligible councils are set to raise the adult social care precept on their council tax in 2022-23, the latest government figures have revealed.
Government needs to 'get a grip' on council tax rebate, says Betts
The Government needs to ‘get a grip’ on the council tax rebate scheme, the chair of the levelling up select committee has said.
1.3m families to miss out on council tax rebate
Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) figures suggest that around 1.3m families risk missing out on the Government’s £150 council tax rebate to help with energy bills.
Sunak’s statement misses the mark for the most vulnerable
The Government has made this mini budget more about political gestures than effecting real change, says Joanne Pitt at CIPFA.
A cruel April looms
Even if support from the chancellor falls short, this is a time when councils still have an ability to mitigate the effects of the rising cost of living on the most vulnerable, says Dave Innes of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Council tax increases to add to ‘harsh squeeze’ on living standards
Households that are already experiencing a squeeze on their finances are to be hit by increases in council tax after April, financial experts have warned.
Council tax reform call as budgets passed
A senior sector figure has called for council tax reform as local authorities continued to pass their budgets for 2022-23 amid concerns about their medium-term financial sustainability.
Closing the ‘them and us’ housing divide
The decision to close a tax loophole that allows second homeowners to avoid paying council tax or business rates should make communities stronger in places like South Hams, says Cllr Judy Pearce.
Government issues direct debit plea
The Government has urged households to arrange direct debits to ease the pressure of council tax rebate payouts on local authorities.
The golden chance to make digital strides
Rachael Walker looks at the systems challenges ahead for councils as they gear up to distribute the Government’s cash assistance with energy costs.
I crave the days when our annual financial cycle was just that
Tracy Bingham realises the world of finance directors and their work is only going to get more uncertain and complex.
Newport reverses tax hike
The city council has bowed to public pressure to reduce a council tax increase for the coming year.
Universal Credit would be better delivery vehicle for energy bills support
Universal Credit has the data on those likely to need support with energy bills and would be a more effective way to target the £150 council tax rebate, says Deven Ghelani.