Norma Atlay

  • Government thinking is the missing piece to finance reform

    19 July 2017

    In her last column as president of the Society of District Council Treasurers, Norma Atlay says mystery still shrouds the future of local government finance and business rate plans.

  • Where will the money fall in the future?

    24 May 2017

    Norma Atlay asks the important questions about a fast-changing local government finance system.

  • Where next for council budgets under siege?

    14 March 2017

    Government policies have done little to ease budget pressures. Norma Atlay asks whether it is time to review the councillor-to-electorate ratio.

  • How much will change under 100% business rate retention?

    14 February 2017

    Norma Atlay asks whether the new funding system for local government is a case of the emperor's new clothes.

  • Finding the right financial path

    09 November 2016

    Local government finance officers need to find the safe route to balancing budgets but there are many issues to consider, writes Norma Atlay

  • Moment of truth

    21 September 2016

    Local government faces two crucial deadline dates in the next few weeks, says Norma Atlay

  • Districts address finance

    27 July 2016

    Norma Atlay explains the work of districts on show at the recent CIPFA conference

  • Held to account

    15 June 2016

    Norma Atlay urges local government to respond to a government consultation on strengthening the Local Government Transparency Code.

  • Fielding the 'hospital pass'

    26 April 2016

    Norma Atlay says devolution of funding cuts mean councils must be ready to make tough decisions on services despite opposition from residents

  • Looking over the edge

    08 March 2016

    Norma Atlay says local government has been 'taken to the abyss' and shown things could be much worse. But what will big financial changes mean locally?