Next settlement an opportunity to head off s114 dangers
Dan Bates considers the underlying changes required to avoid further s114 notices. I was interested to read a recent headline that claimed that a third of south east councils were[…]
Dan Bates
Dan Bates: Capitalisation directions are not the only tool for rebuilding finances
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[…]
Settlement must address ‘precarious’ local government finances
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[…]
Capital health indicators key to Croydon’s crisis
Croydon is the latest local authority to issue a section 114 notice. Experts Dan Bates and Christian Wall look at the trends underlying the council’s woes. Christian Wall Croydon’s section[…]
Dan Bates: An extra £1.6bn is welcome but boosting council resilience will need more
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[…]
Dan Bates: How should we measure financial resilience?
…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.
Dan Bates: Searching last year’s accounts for signs of resilience
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[…]
Dan Bates: The importance of council tax in the fair funding debate
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[…]
Dan Bates: Settlement reveals fragility of the system and the need to speak up on fair funding
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[…]
