Relax borrowing rules to tackle financial crisis, says think tank
The Institute for Fiscal Studies says local government in England still needs an extra £2bn to see it through the pandemic. One way of dealing with financial needs, it argues,[…]
Funding
Devolution: The structural and economic challenges
A white paper on devolution and the potential reconfiguration of local government in England is on the way. Paul Dossett explores the risks and opportunities. While the local government sector[…]
Nathan Elvery: The CFO is only human
The pandemic has presented finance directors in local government with an extreme challenge. Nathan Elvery survey the qualities needed in the modern CFO.
Chris Buss: Summertime and the living ‘was’ easy
More than ever councils need an early settlement as well as certainty over the support they can expect from Whitehall over pandemic costs, writes Chris Buss.
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[…]
Pandemic patterns: Research reveals a diversity of effects on local government finances
A study by the Institute for Fiscal Studies shows councils suffering in diverse ways as a result of Covid-19. Kate Ogden explores the detail The coronavirus crisis has been a[…]
Pandemic finances: A testing time for local and central government relations
The pandemic has seen local government bear the brunt of a huge financial burden. While central government has found extra money for councils, Leigh Whitehouse argues that Covid-19 has revealed[…]
In the pandemic local government faced its ‘darkest hour’
Covid-19 has taken local government to the brink. Andrew Hardingham surveys the epic workload brought on by the pandemic and shows how local government has not only survived but demonstrated[…]
Spelthorne: Setting the record straight on commercial investments
A number of articles have been written in recent weeks about Spelthorne Borough Council’s investment strategy which the council considers requires correction. Since 2014, Spelthorne Borough Council, like all councils,[…]
Section 114: Covid-19 has driven some councils to the brink but new guidance may help
While speculation is rife that the pandemic has pushed some local authorities close to issuing section 114 notices, new guidance from CIPFA aims to encourage more contact with central government.[…]
