Treasury to restrict PWLB loans to councils at risk of non-repayment
The Treasury has released new guidance that restricts local authorities’ ability to borrow from the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) if there is a “more than negligible risk” of a[…]
Funding
Back to the future for the PWLB
The Public Works Loan Board is tightening its lending criteria to ensure that loans will be repaid by local government borrowers. But, asks Peter Findlay, shouldn’t it have been doing[…]
Bags of capacity – now to housing delivery
HRAs have been freed up and councils are starting to invest, but some remain cautious, writes Steve Partridge. He suggests that a minimum of £10bn of additional borrowing could be[…]
To Michael Gove: a modest proposal
Conrad Hall has written an open letter to the levelling up secretary suggesting an unusual (and tongue-in-cheek) proposal to help councils predict next year’s government grant. Dear Secretary of State,[…]
Queen’s Speech: an ambitious plan hampered by omissions
Richard Harbord examines the impact of the government’s legislative proposals on councils, and concludes that local authorities expect and need more from central government. However you view the parliamentary programme[…]
Warrington’s credit rating downgraded by Moody’s
Warrington Borough Council has seen its credit rating downgraded by Moody’s Investors Service partly due to its high reliance on commercial income. Moody’s downgraded Warrington’s long-term issuer rating and senior[…]
Don’t expect an infrastructure levy any time soon
The government plans to axe section 106 agreements in favour of an infrastructure levy, but Richard Harbord warns that consultation paralysis, levelling-up concerns and developer opposition could block any progress.[…]
Time to pause adult social care proposals
Proposed government reforms to adult social care will place huge additional burdens on local authorities with significantly increased costs. Leigh Whitehouse discusses the forecast impact at Surrey County Council and[…]
Cornwall’s housing crisis: planning and tax reforms ‘urgently required’
The section 151 officer at Cornwall Council has called on the government to implement reforms to planning and tax rules to help local authorities urgently respond to the housing crisis.[…]
Fairer funding – will the wait be worth it?
Chris Buss says that any review of local government finance must address social care, business rates and council tax, but the danger is that these are just too difficult to[…]
