Skills in short supply for local government audit
As always when faced with the excitement of current local government I first turn to the greats of our municipal heritage to map out the journey we have been on.[…]
Author: Richard Harbord
Richard Harbord: ‘Effective governance’ the key to commercial activity
In a recent report the think tank Localis wrote that council commercial activity has come to be viewed by many as “inherently risky”. Richard Harbord argues that councils have a[…]
Richard Harbord: September accounts sign-off a ‘fantasy’ at many councils
Deadline slips as auditors and finance grapple with remote working and valuations. Being a section 151 officer in a local authority is absolutely the best job there could possibly be.[…]
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[…]
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[…]
