Alternative Investments for Local Authority Treasurers: January 17th, 2013

Uncertainty looms over future council funding despite £2.9bn boost: Local government funding confirmed this week will provide a boost to council budgets but there remains uncertainty over resources for the coming years. The House of Commons voted this… dlvr.it/RQsfVQ

Warwick votes for referendum on 34.2% countil tax increase: Warwick has become the first council to back a referendum on increasing its council tax above the 2% limit. Residents will be asked on 7th May to vote on whether[...] dlvr.it/RQrTm8 pic.twitter.com/OHxiiVWImI

LGPS board holds off on ‘fiduciary duty’ guidance: A key element of the planned guidance on responsible investment for Local Government Pension Scheme member funds has been put on hold because of uncertainty over the impact of the[...] dlvr.it/RQrTlH pic.twitter.com/DiozQdB8wt

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… dlvr.it/RQp3ym pic.twitter.com/AsUkQI7fPJ

And here is the LGPS news: It’s better than you read in the press: Some elements of the press have painted a bleak picture of pension schemes at London boroughs. Chris Buss argues that the funds are in “good hands”. One of the periodic[...] dlvr.it/RQmtBt pic.twitter.com/SQMucwF6VB

How to be a Smart Borrower: An increase in PWLB rates has seen treasury officers deluged with offers of credit from the private sector. David Green writes local authorities should take care with the money they[...] dlvr.it/RQfq9m

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[...] dlvr.it/RQPzFZ pic.twitter.com/TZh65hM6MD

‘Dangerously low’ reserve levels prompt 8% rates rise: A Northern Ireland council has voted to increase its domestic rate bills by almost 8% after being told by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) that its[...] dlvr.it/RQPP1J pic.twitter.com/mQ9wff20p8

Sponsored Q&A: Funding Circle’s Sachin Patel on investing in SME loans: Sponsored Q&A: Funding Circle is the leading SME loans platform in the UK, US, Germany and the Netherlands, with over £8bn lent through the platform to 77,000 businesses. With… dlvr.it/RQPNwj pic.twitter.com/syc5eL04vQ

Audit questions Aberdeen’s income generation record: Aberdeen City Council has a patchy record of planning and monitoring its service-boosting income generation proposals – many of which fail to meet their budgeted targets, an internal audit report[...] dlvr.it/RQLFsc

Richard Harbord: Cannock Chase reveals the risks in business rates appeals: Amazon’s victory in a business rates appeal means one Staffordshire council will have to dip into reserves. Richard Harbord discusses the trouble with appeals. The headlines… dlvr.it/RQBT4G

EXCLUSIVE: Bonds agency goes to market with £350m inaugural bond: The UK Municipal Bonds Agency (UKMBA) today launched its long-awaited first bond into the market, ending a six-year wait. In January, Room 151 broke the news that the UKMBA was[...] dlvr.it/RQ2sdz pic.twitter.com/elfC7GOmEs

Edinburgh sets out £2.5bn housing-investment plans: Proposals to invest almost £2bn in delivering new council homes and close on £500m to upgrade existing social-housing and tenant services over the next decade are set to be agreed[...] dlvr.it/RPxzdl pic.twitter.com/1amWnB7cF7

NAO: Councils’ commercial property activity raises questions over prudential framework: The government’s spending watchdog has urged the government to review the regime governing councils’ capital spending, concluding that their activity in the… dlvr.it/RPwqBN

William Bourne: Good Governance Project leaves ‘conflicts’ to be resolved: William Bourne reflects on how the Scheme Advisory Board’s Good Governance Project recommendations could be made more effective. Over the last 10 years governance has probably… dlvr.it/RPtDJB