Richard Harbord: Further signs that local government finance is failing
The crisis in Liverpool and a fix for education budgets are further indication that local government finance is in need of a root and branch review. Even for those students[…]
Author: Richard Harbord
Budget 2021: A missed opportunity while bidding could prove a strain
The chancellor delivered the budget this week giving councils the opportunity to bid for funds but offering no resolution to long-term issues such as business rates retention, adult and children’s[…]
Richard Harbord: Delayed “capital determinations” make section 25 opinions a new crunch point
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[…]
Richard Harbord: Croydon’s 114 notice hold lessons for all councils
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[…]
Without a ‘generous’ settlement the risk of section 114s looms large
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[…]
Uncertainty forms ‘normality’ for local government finance and reform
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[…]
Richard Harbord: Cannock Chase reveals the risks in business rates appeals
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[…]
Christmas and New Year Message
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[…]
Central reservation: Why Brexit paralysis in Whitehall is ruining councils’ financial planning
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[…]
A busy and unpromising timetable for local authority finances
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[…]
