The severe pressure on local government budgets now means section 151 officers confront a tricky call on whether they can make a judgement on the robustness of estimates and the[…]
As Croydon grapples with a section 114 notice Richard Harbord looks at the issues underlying the council’s troubles. The London Borough of Croydon has become the big news story in[…]
Section 114 notices have been long threatened but rarely used. A continued lack of funding may change all that, argues Richard Harbord. It is difficult to remember now that section[…]
Planning reforms, unitary authorities, council tax and lawful budgets all hold the prospect of considerable, though unknown, change, writes Richard Harbord. It is always a great pleasure to be asked[…]
Amazon’s victory in a business rates appeal means one Staffordshire council will have to dip into reserves. Richard Harbord discusses the trouble with appeals. The headlines about Cannock Chase District[…]
By definition Christmas messages should be about a new start, they should be joyous and full of hope for what the next year may bring. Regrettably it is difficult to[…]
With Brexit steering the Treasury’s aim for a three-year Spending Review off the road, Whitehall’s strong grip on council finance leaves authorities impotent, writes Richard Harbord. For my birthday this[…]
Richard Harbord looks at the large amount of central government measures affecting councils due over the next 13 months. Time is running out, the current uncertainty damaging, and the prospects[…]
Last week’s provisional settlement for local government was predictably disappointing, says Richard Harbord, while the big issues of funding social care and council tax reform wait unaddressed in the political[…]
Realpolitik means the local government sector shouldn’t hold its breath waiting for central government to help it out of its financial predicament, says Richard Harbord. Life is very unfair! The[…]
