Finance
LGA research 'debunks' inefficient services myth
Wildly different spending levels in children’s services owe more to local demographic factors than to inefficiency or political decision, an independent report for the Local Government Association (LGA) has revealed today.
Northern Irish councils' devolution call
The time is now right to extend the responsibilities of local government in Northern Ireland through greater devolution from Stormont, a new report said today.
Councils urged to shift bond motivation
English local authorities have been urged to shift their motivation for implementing social impact bonds (SIBs) to unleash the creative potential of the tool.
Tracking the true cost of kids’ care
Huge discrepancies between the cost of children’s services in different authorities have hampered lobbying efforts. Heather Jameson looks at the latest report which debunks the myth that it’s all down to inefficiency.
Developing new housing solutions
Counties are taking matters into their own hands to deliver homes for their communities, with many enlisting the help of private sector firms. Cllr Philip Atkins looks at the progress so far
EXCLUSIVE: Doubts raised over local industrial strategies rollout
Concerns have been raised over the future of local industrial strategies, amid fears Whitehall will fail to push the policy further than just a few urban areas.
EXCLUSIVE: Councils could face ‘traffic light’ grading on finances
Every council could be publicly graded red, amber or green for financial resilience under plans by finance chiefs to avoid another financial collapse, The MJ has learnt.
Digital tax planned to balance 'antiquated' business rates
Calls by MPs to scrap business rates have been rejected by a Treasury minister.
Social care green paper delayed - again
The long-awaited social care green paper has been further delayed until the autumn after repeated Whitehall insistencies it was on track.
Fresh finance warning for Northamptonshire CC
Northamptonshire CC’s finance director has issued an early warning the county already risks missing key savings targets that enabled it to agree a legal budget.
Financial instability is unacceptable, but what can be done?
Carol Culley and Margaret Lee discuss how two major pieces of work by CIPFA can help to strengthen the resilience of the sector.
DWP under fire over Universal Credit
Auditors have heavily criticised the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for the design and implementation of Universal Credit.
Borrowing overtakes grant funding for council capital schemes
Borrowing exceeded grant funding for council capital projects in England last year, according to newly-released figures.
Audit verdict on broadband venture
Auditors have handed Aylesbury Vale DC 22 recommendations to improve its commercial projects after the sale of its broadband company.
Growth plans for Norse
Norse Group has laid out ambitious growth plans that could lead to it hitting £0.5bn turnover.
Amey hit by £50m compensation bill - reports
Amey has been ordered to pay Birmingham City Council more than £50m in compensation after the contractor lost a long-running court battle, according to reports.
Mayors renew skills call
England’s directly-elected regional mayors today renewed their call on the Government for greater devolution of powers and funding over skills.
Rising social care costs spell doom for services
Council spending on adult social care is squeezing cash out of other services, fresh analysis from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has shown.
From care services to more caring places
Alex Khaldi explains why insight and oversight matter in social care.
Preventing another Grenfell
On the first anniversary of the Grenfell tragedy Lord Porter explains how the Local Government Association is working with the Government to stop this from happening again.