Covid-19 places a strain on producing accounts
Its the time of year when finance teams focus on their statement of accounts. Stephen Sheen argues that pushing back the deadline for audited accounts is not enough. There is[…]
Technical
Court of Appeal’s Heathrow decision delivers climate warning to councils
A decision over a third runway at the country’s biggest airport means section 151 officers must consider climate issues when they draw up their spending plans. Helen Randall explains why.[…]
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[…]
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[…]
