Finance
Council cyber-attacks rocket
Cyber-attacks on UK council remote workers increased by 213% during the pandemic, Freedom of Information Act requests have found.
Councils will continue to draw on reserves, predicts Moody's
Many councils will continue to draw on their reserves to manage the uncertain funding environment and offset budgetary pressures, international ratings agency Moody’s has predicted.
Review launched into chief's departure
Pembrokeshire CC’s interim boss has commissioned an independent review into the ‘severance arrangements’ linked to the departure of former chief executive Ian Westley.
No pay-out for suspended director
Croydon LBC’s suspended executive director of place has resigned with no pay-out, The MJ understands.
Public finances improve
The public finances improved last month as economic activity picked up though debt remains at a record high, according to latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.
In times of financial uncertainty, clear and simple narratives are key
Tracie Langley has been asked how she keeps her nerve as a section 151 'in the face of what is a quite squeaky financial position'. The first thing she tells herself is that nothing is impossible.
Walsall's £29m savings plan suffers delays
The council’s flagship £28.9m savings programme has been hit by delays as COVID-19 continues to take its financial toll on the sector.
PM plans national insurance rise to fund social care
Ministers are believed to be planning a national insurance rise to fund adult social care.
Lancashire rules out city of culture bid
The council has resisted pressure to back the county’s bid to become the next city of culture in 2025.
MPs call for urgent finance reforms
Councils should be given more flexibility to raise their own taxes and social care funding urgently needs to be reformed, MPs have said.
Voter ID 'colossal waste of money,' says Labour
Proposals to introduce voter ID are a ‘colossal waste of money,’ Labour has argued.
Reserves used to meet ‘avalanche of need’
A third of councils have resorted to using reserves to meet adult social care overspends, an extensive survey has found.
Liverpool's accounts delayed by police investigation
Liverpool City Council auditors have warned they will not be able to sign off the council’s accounts until police fraud investigations are complete.
Raid on reserves will hit hard on council cash
As the Treasury threatens to raid reserves, Heather Jameson warns the 'snapshot' figures could have a long term impact on councils as we head for the spending review.
Taking a risk
A new study warns of looming unfunded risks to the public finances from climate change to adult care which Michael Burton says should be heeded by the chancellor as he prepares the next Spending Review
Government insists Everyone In is 'continuing'
The Government has insisted the Everyone In programme is ‘continuing’ despite reportedly suggesting to some councils that they should close their hotels for rough sleepers.
Penalised for our prudence
Eleven councils will receive nothing from the local tax income guarantee (TIG) aimed at compensating them from the impact of the pandemic on their budgets. For them, the scheme ‘has proved to be no more than a mirage’, says Cllr Richard Brown
EXCLUSIVE: Councils push back over reserves raid threat
Council chiefs have pushed back as the Treasury eyes up the sector’s reserves in the run up to this year’s Spending Review, The MJ understands.
UK should emulate Biden - Marmot
Public health expert Sir Michael Marmot has urged the Government to follow the lead of US President Joe Biden to level up the UK.
Children's services funding row
An investigation into children’s social care has been urged to look at funding by the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS).
