The 2022-23 settlement promises an extra £3.5bn. Michael Gove said the settlement represents a “real-terms increase from last year’s settlement and will make sure councils can improve vital frontline services”.[…]
Dan Bates argues deep seated problems are contributing to a rush for capitalisation directions. For some time now we have been reading that a number of councils are in discussion[…]
Dan Bates crosses his fingers for “no nasty surprises” in this week’s funding settlement but argues the “bigger prize” is post-Covid financial certainty. Thursday (17 December) should be the day[…]
Whitehall has offered another huge tranche of funding to councils but it may prove too little as Covid-19 reveals the vulnerability of local government funding structures. Financial resilience is already[…]
…our accounts review has revealed some staggering pension liabilities. As we all live longer and authorities have fewer staff paying into pension funds, larger annual payments to recover deficits may have a greater call on scarce resources.
Accounts have now closed but it’s hard to find the signs of financial resilience. Dan Bates reveals his observations on reserves and capital finance requirements. I’ve spent years doing local[…]
Local authorities have set record council tax rises. Dan Bates argues that as some councils do well from the tax while others suffer it is critical for officers to engage[…]
Local government last week saw the final financial settlement. Dan Bates analyses the underlying issues revealing a council tax system that is fragile and dwindling reserves. Last week’s final finance[…]
