Debt
Keeping risk away
Kirsty Stanners explains how the Government is planning ways to prevent councils taking on high and disproportionate levels of debt.
Government needs to commit to reducing energy consumption
Neil Marshall argues that reducing consumption is the only sure-fire way of tackling an energy crisis, and local government can help with this challenge.
Copeland in 'Section 114 territory'
Copeland BC is ‘heading rapidly towards its minimum level of reserves and an expectation internally of issuing a Section 114 notice,’ an external assurance review of the council’s financial position has found.
Empowering engagement: The future of Council Tax collection post-pandemic
Stephen Johnson looks at some steps councils can take to help build a next-generation service to effectively collect revenue and recover debt, whilst supporting wellbeing.
Government launches MRP crackdown
Councils will be prevented from using capital receipts to replace minimum revenue provision (MRP) under plans to improve local government debt management, Whitehall officials have revealed.
Rates revenue shoots up
Business rates revenue shot up by more than 40% last month compared to the previous year as the economy improved, according to latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Council to close ethical debt collection firm
Hammersmith and Fulham LBC is to close its ethical debt collection company after failing to garner sector interest in the concept.
How to address tax arrears sustainably
Civica's Paul Rudd discusses three steps councils can take when dealing with the pandemic’s impact on tax arrears.
Slough approves £600m asset sale
Crisis-hit Slough Council has approved plans to flog around £600m worth of assets as it battles to get its finances under control.
The new ECA could be the good press debt collection desperately needs
Alan Hamblett discusses the introduction of the Enforcement Conduct Authority (ECA) and what this means for creditors including local authorities.
Urban councils' fears over debt recovery rules
Urban councils have voiced concern over new rules that could prevent them from recovering council tax debts.
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.
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.
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.
Debt-hit Northern Ireland council votes for ‘urgent assistance’
Causeway Coast & Glens BC has voted to bring in independent financial advisers after confirming total borrowing of £71.1m.
Preserving the delicate balance
Bob Neill says that in too many cases the delicate balance between recovering what is owed to councils and providing a duty of care to the vulnerable is not being achieved.
Square Mile to borrow for the first time in decades
City of London Council could borrow more than £1bn over the next three years through its local government arm and endowment fund.
Council to save £143m after ending LOBO loan
Newham LBC is expected to save £143m after successfully terminating its Lender Option Borrower Option (LOBO) loans with NatWest bank.
London councils unite to reveal pockets of poverty
Deven Ghelani outlines how a collaboration involving 18 London boroughs has resulted in a data analysis showing poverty hotspots and how councils might better support families and households under pressure.
Whitehall pledges to end aggressive council tax debt collection
The way local authorities recover unpaid council tax is to be reviewed by the Government in a bid to protect vulnerable residents from aggressive debt collection.
