News round-up: Business rates income, Warrington home loan, MPs consider councils pensions, HRA reform criticism

Business rate receipts remain steady
The amount central government received from business rates remained steady in 2015-16, according to figures from the Department for Communities and Local Government. Receipts totalled £15.9bn during the year, roughly the same figure as last year. Local authorities received £3.1bn from the government, down from £3.6bn in 2014-15. The cumulative balance to take forward is £248 million (£66 million in 2014-15).

Javid replaces Clark at DCLG
Sajid Javid has been appointed as the new Communities and Local Government secretary by prime minister Theresa May. Javid has been demoted from his previous role as secretary of state for business, innovation and skills. Greg Clark has moved from the DCLG to become minister for business, energy and industrial strategy. Phillip Hammond, formerly defence secretary, was installed as chancellor of the exchequer.

Roberts appointed CIPFA president
Brian Roberts, director of corporate resources at Leicestershire County Council, has been appointed the new president of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. He takes over from John Matheson, director of finance for NHS Scotland.

Warrington amends housing association loan
Warrington Borough Council has agreed a £90m loan with housing association Helena Partnerships to provide 37 new homes. The council has amended the loan to bring £7m under a five-year term, allowing this proportion to attract a lower interest rate. The rest of the cash will be repaid over 25 years.

MPs to consider council pension fund potential
The Local Authority Pension Fund Forum is sponsoring a new all-party parliamentary group to examine how council pension funds can support growth, housing and infrastructure. The group will be chaired by MP Clive Betts, who said: “‘Parliament needs to better understand what local authority pension funds can offer the country. They also need to be aware of what planned changes to the investment regulations mean, not least for local constituents.” The news comes as local authorities this week submit detailed proposals for LGPS pooling to government.

Haringey signs regeneration deal
London Borough of Haringey has signed a strategic partnership with developer Argent Related. The venture will tackle the first phase of London’s largest Housing Zone in Tottenham, delivering 800 homes around the Tottenham Hale tube station.

HRA reforms ‘undermine council provision’
Government reforms to the housing revenue account have been undermined by the changing policy environment, according to the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. CIPFA chief executive Rob Whiteman said: “Families across the country will not get the homes they need because the Government keeps on tinkering with housing policy without properly thinking it through. At best, successive governments have turned a blind eye to the consequences of inconsistent housing policy, at worst they have deliberately set out to undermine local authorities’ best laid plans.”

Councils detect £271m in fraud
Local authorities detected £271m of fraud in 2015/16, according to new figures. A report by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy said that housing scams counted for the highest proportion of 77,000 successfully detected cases. However, it found that 10% of councils still don’t have a dedicated counter-fraud team.