Title

FINANCE

Croydon could face second public interest report

Grant Thornton has been looking into the redevelopment of the Fairfield Halls arts centre by the council-owned firm Brick by Brick.

Croydon LBC is facing the potential of a second report in the public interest by its external auditor within a little over a year.

Grant Thornton has been looking into the redevelopment of the Fairfield Halls arts centre by the council-owned firm Brick by Brick.

The council provided loans of more than £70m to the company to fund the project, which was completed in 2019.

Croydon's interim director of finance, investment and risk, Richard Ennis, told the council's audit committee at a meeting last week the auditor could publish the report in the first two weeks of December.

He said: ‘They've gone out to consult with affected parties on the potential that they will issue a second report in the public interest for the council following the main report in the public interest.'

Grant Thornton has informed Mr Ennis it is currently considering the responses received with its legal team.

Croydon was accused of ‘corporate blindness' in a public interest report in October last year, which was followed a month later by a Section 114 notice.

The Government has agreed to a capitalisation request of £70m for last year and another provisionally worth £50m for the current financial year.

At last week's meeting Mr Ennis said the council would ‘push hard' to secure another £25m direction for next year.

He said he believed it would take three to four years to turn around the council's finances.

Mr Ennis added: ‘There's an awful lot to put right here.'

The council's improvement and assurance panel is due to report to the Government on Croydon's progress next month.

FINANCE

Fair Funding: Have rural councils in England really lost out?

By Gabriel Stewart | 26 May 2026

When it comes to spending power, urban councils will soar ahead of rural councils by 2028-29, according to LGA figures. But exclusive Institute for Fiscal St...

FINANCE

Getting ready for 'game-changer' Cyber Security Act: Five steps for councils

By Peter Jones | 26 May 2026

Peter Jones identifies key steps for boards to deliver their action plans and enhanced security practices, to ensure compliance with the Cyber Security Act.

FINANCE

MHCLG praises council capability on housing

By Joe Lepper | 22 May 2026

A senior Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) official has praised the improved capability of councils to deliver major housing proj...

FINANCE

The public will accept straight talk from politicians so long as there is a rationale

By Michael Burton | 20 May 2026

By claiming the public could have both high public spending and low taxes, the main parties opened the floodgates to the siren voices of the populists, says ...

Martin Ford

Popular articles by Martin Ford