Top Five Stories: Derby’s s151 dismissed, investing cash, LGPS fees, bond agency appetite and interview strategies

MHCLG: Further action on borrowing for property investment to be ‘proportional’: The government is unlikely to make radical changes to the prudential framework to council curb borrowing to fund commercial property investment, it said this week. Speaking… dlvr.it/RDS78b pic.twitter.com/jLsU4SgmLh

Inter-authority lending appetite remains buoyant despite low PWLB rates: Twice as many councils predict an increase in borrowing from other councils next year as those forecasting a reduction, according to the 2019 Room 151 Treasury Investment Survey.… dlvr.it/RDQlcR pic.twitter.com/NhZytJrqs6

Councils eye collaboration on community bank plans: Local authorities in two different parts of the country are looking to collaborate in their bids to create new community banks to support people in deprived areas and generate dividends.[...] dlvr.it/RDQlbV

Redmond Review to probe audit approach on commercialisation: The Redmond Review of local authority audit will consider whether councils are being effectively held to account following changes to business models including greater commercialisation and… dlvr.it/RDHzZm pic.twitter.com/H7as3KjCrR

Council agrees £15m loan to NHS trust: A South West Council has agreed a £14.9m loan to its local NHS foundation trust for a new pathology centre. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council last week agreed the loan,[...] dlvr.it/RDGbzF pic.twitter.com/nqBr0VS3vw

Looking forward to seeing lots of old friends and new at #LATIF19 on Thursday for #localgov treasurers. @jamesbevan_ccla @CTinvest_EMEA @mhclg @PaydenRygel @JPMorganAM @MoodysInvSvc @Amundi_ENG @LGIM @BNYMellon @federatednews 250+ delegates/ 150+ LAs See you there!

Northants borrows £110m from PWLB to replace short-term debt: Northamptonshire County Council has borrowed £110m from the Public Works Loan Board to replace short-term borrowing. The council took eight loans during August at rates between 1.12% and 2.0%… dlvr.it/RCz5Zr pic.twitter.com/NT43AD7wO9

Council PWLB borrowing hits record level in August: Borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board hit another recent record high in August, with councils taking £1.983bn in loans. The figure pips March’s figure of £1.93bn, a spree fuelled[...] dlvr.it/RCyVBH

Spending Review saves council from depleting reserves: Shropshire Council says last week’s Spending Review has rescued it from exhausting its reserves this year. A report from external auditors going before councillors this week says the authority… dlvr.it/RCxwvT pic.twitter.com/4tHifz3h00

Peterborough capital receipts episode prompts prudential framework review: The government is to consider changes to the prudential framework covering local authority finances to prevent a repeat of the controversy over Peterborough City Council’s use of… dlvr.it/RCvWBd pic.twitter.com/aMfIR1w24n

Spending Review: Rainy day funds still needed despite generous settlement: Councils need to maintain healthy reserves despite increased funding for councils through last week’s Spending Review, says Chris Buss. One of the advantages of not being a… dlvr.it/RCtvKH pic.twitter.com/HilORybgRa

Councils forced to use schools reserves to fund SENDs shortfall: The government failed to properly assess the financial consequences for councils of 2014 reforms to the system for supporting young people with special educational needs and disabilities… dlvr.it/RCsDBD pic.twitter.com/U4Q8CjhTUj

Modernising the construction industry in practice: This is article was sponsored by Legal & General, sponsor of the 2nd Housing & Regeneration Finance Summit. Rosie Toogood, CEO of Legal & General Modular Homes argues that housing[...] dlvr.it/RClbDC pic.twitter.com/8nE3upYeho

Chancellor aims cash boost at social care and SEND services: Social care and special needs funding were among the biggest winners in the chancellor’s spending statement. Sajid Javid promised certainty for a new era in his one-year spending statement.… dlvr.it/RCSrqx

LGPS to see launch of cost comparison site in 2020: The Scheme Advisory Board (SAB) for LGPS has awarded a contract to build a web-based platform that will allow comparison of asset managers’ fees and costs. SAB has awarded the[...] dlvr.it/RCSDlw pic.twitter.com/bhtLRvCXcr