Funding gaps and how to manage them
Budgets have been compiled but how will local authorities confront funding gaps? And will they continue with commercial investments or focus on other priorities, like local housing? We asked the[…]
Technical
Outcome based budgeting: It’s all about culture and management
Outcome based budgeting offers opportunities to uncover vital insights. Rebecca Hellard reveals her experience. I was recently asked about my current challenges and concerns. I like to turn these into[…]
Coronavirus: Preparing your council for the crisis
Central government is implementing measures to confront the coronavirus outbreak. David Hill works through the questions local authorities will need to address as the virus spreads. The coronavirus is dominating[…]
Peterborough plans £7m repeat of controversial capital receipts treatment
Peterborough City Council has revealed plans to use £7m of capital receipts to help balance its in-year revenue budget and 2020/21 spending proposals – despite controversy surrounding similar moves in[…]
Council audit fees set to be frozen amid increasing pressures on firms
The fees council pay for their external audits are set to be frozen for the second year running despite increasing cost pressures on audit firms, according to the body responsible[…]
Shared service venture to create “finance academy” for managers
A back office shared services initiative run by three London councils is to create a “finance academy” to improve budget management and financial control. The move is being made as[…]
NAO rejects option to allow extensions of revised audit code remit
The National Audit Office has backed down on a proposal to allow the introduction of new reporting criteria for local authority audits during the lifetime of a new Code of[…]
Scottish councils fail to explain budget variations
Public spending watchdog the Accounts Commission has flagged up transparency failings in its latest annual report on the financial health of local authorities in Scotland. The body said an analysis[…]
County introduces new rules after £9.1m funds gaffe
A report to Hertfordshire’s most recent audit committee meeting said the “treasury control failure” had come to light in August, one day after the multi-million-pound redemption was not received. The[…]
Room 151’s top news stories of 2019
As an eventful year for local authority treasurers draws to a close, Room 151 takes a look at the top 10 stories from the sector during 2019. 10. Spending watchdog[…]
