Tipping point receding for most authorities, says report
The threat of financial “tipping point” is receding for all but a minority of local authorities, according to a new study by auditor Grant Thornton. The firm’s annual health check[…]
Yearly Archive: 2014
Autumn Statement: English authorities shortchanged on fiscal devolution
English local government has expressed disappointment in today’s Autumn Statement, which was light on content relating to the further devolution of powers and funding to local authorities. Pressure on the[…]
David Green: Deposit guarantees, European style
The latest EU law to impact on local authority treasury management is the recast Deposit Guarantee Schemes Directive which affects the operation of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and[…]
John Harrison: Alternative investments under fire
John Harrison is Director, Multi-Asset at Henderson Global Investors and Independent Investment Adviser to the Surrey County Council pension fund. The recent CLERUS report on the mis-selling of alternative investments[…]
James Bevan: All eyes on Central Banks
There is no doubt that now that they have started, China’s authorities have a significant chance of creating some form of cyclical recovery within their economy over the coming months.[…]
News Roundup: Smith Commission, Welsh mergers, Kerslake defence, Barnett formula…
Smith Commission spark English demands Proposals for devolution of tax raising powers to Scotland should be used as a blueprint for a new settlement for English councils, according to the[…]
Ask the Auditor: School assets and your balance sheet
Following CIPFA’s November local authority conferences, Graham Liddell from Grant Thornton UK LLP provides an updated assessment of the issues faced by local authorities considering whether to recognise school buildings[…]
Tax collection rates down, budget uncertainty up, says Audit Commission
Changes to arrangements for council tax and business rates mean local authorities face more challenges when setting budgets, according to a report by the Audit Commission. A report released by[…]
S&P to review UK bank ratings in January
Ratings agency Standard & Poors has announced the date by which it expects to review ratings for UK banks due to bail-in legislation. The agency this week said that it[…]
Stephen Hughes: Commercial nous
Stephen Hughes is the former chief executive of Birmingham City Council and a strategic adviser to local government There is a strong cultural feeling that the commercial approach of the[…]
