Council Tax
Counting the hidden costs of COVID-19
There are a host of hidden costs from COVID-19 that will creep out of the woodwork over time to impact local government, says Chris Buss, leading to a fundamental shift in the way services will be delivered in the future.
Councils face £3bn COVID-19 funding gap
Financial pressures within local government will outstrip additional funding by around £3.1bn this year, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has found.
Why councils should support the expansion of Fair for You
As part of their plans to reshape financial support for residents, councils should enter into formal partnerships with Fair for You, says Damon Gibbons.
Staring into the jobs abyss
With the furlough scheme due to finish at the end of next month, can local government support COVID-hit local economies and residents left without work? Ann McGauran talks to sector experts.
What’s the recovery position?
The chancellor has opened the door to a less generous funding settlement for public services, but will he end up turning his back on a slash-and-burn approach? Martin Ford reports.
It's time for a serious, adult conversation on future funding
While the Government is right to caution against councils overexposing themselves on commercial investments, it needs to recognise its own role in creating this situation, according to Claire Kober.
Think tank calls for sweeping reforms to local taxes
A group of former Treasury special advisers have called for revaluation of the council tax and reform of business rates to boost the economy post-COVID-19.
Jenrick announces more cash, income compensation and tax delay
Local government secretary Robert Jenrick has announced more cash and new ways councils will be reimbursed for income lost as a result of coronavirus.
Counties could be forced to issue Section 114 notices this year
If predictions in Grant Thornton's report on county finances fall anywhere close to the actual financial outturn, a significant number of councils will be forced to reduce costs, and as a last resort issue Section 114 notices, says Tom Foster.
Thurrock braced for coronavirus costs
Thurrock BC is expecting financial pressures next year to further increase, as it struggles to balance the books for 2020/21.
Let’s look out for our residents
As the lockdown reduces it has never been more important for councils to proactively identify and target support for communities, says Deven Ghelani.
Funding the long road to recovery
The County Councils Network has set the 'income guarantee' that is crucially needed to address lost income streams at £5bn initially, says Anthony May - but the additional costs of coronavirus will still pose a medium-term challenge, too.
EXCLUSIVE: No bail outs for commercial investments
Plans to bail out councils struggling with their finances could vary between authorities - but they will not cover commercial investments, The MJ understands.
Road to disaster?
With a huge proportion of income vanishing almost overnight, there is the very real possibility that every council in Yorkshire will have to issue s114 notices, says Cllr Judith Blake.
Difficult questions lie ahead for Government and the sector
Graeme McDonald says we have some important decisions to make and a challenging new future to plan for. Will Westminster fulfil its promises and cover the full cost of the crisis for local councils?
Finance chiefs say Government could underwrite tax losses for councils
The Government could protect councils from financial collapse by underwriting the potential loss of council tax and business rates, finance chiefs have claimed.
Voluntary council tax contributions help to fight COVID-19’s impact
Rachael Robathan explains how the community contribution raised from Westminster’s top-rate band H council taxpayers is helping local organisations manage the COVID-19 pandemic
IFS: Council tax ripe for reform in Wales
Council tax in Wales is ‘ripe for reform’ with bills now based on property values from 17 years ago, a think-tank has said.
Districts warn of council tax and business rates hit
Some district councils are forecasting an overall reduction of 10% in council tax and business rate payments, The MJ understands.
Debt collection needs reform, says think tank
Local government should follow the lead of the private sector when it comes to debt collection, the latest report from the Centre for Social Justice think tank has claimed.
