News-in-Brief

The £11bn Lothian Pension Fund has reported annual investment returns of 8.7% in 2025, driven in large part by strong equity performance, according to

Slough Borough Council is assessing whether to wind down or repurpose its struggling wholly owned housing company James Elliman Homes (JEH). A detailed business

East Riding of Yorkshire Council is to move to a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) software system. The authority has selected Unit4’s ‘ERPx’ cloud-native

Somerset Council’s Executive will be asked to approve a package of one-off investment worth £5.3m to strengthen support for children and young people with

More than one in four (26%) council professionals involved in local government reorganisation (LGR) are not confident their new authority will be viable on

Slough Borough Council has outlined how £79.4m could be generated through asset disposals between 2026/27 and 2028/29 in a strategic asset management plan. The

A 12.5% yearly increase in the number of education, health and care plans (EHCPs) issued is “a reminder of the continued rise in need

West Berkshire Council has reported a £5.5m adjusted overspend as its social care pressures continue to rise.  The council's reported deficit in adult social

Worcestershire Council has drawn down £15.4m from reserves to balance its budget, but still met its targeted savings goal for 2025/26, a resources report

Hampshire County Council is to seek a judicial review of the government’s plans for local government reorganisation (LGR) amid concerns over the financial viability

Lambeth Council has forecast a £15.9m general fund overspend for 2025/26 despite improving its financial position by £1.2m since Q3, a report showed.  Despite

Somerset Council has reduced its overall debt by £13m and has outperformed its investment targets, an annual treasury report showed.  The overall debt reduced

West Sussex County Council has reported an overspend of £13m for 2025/26, requiring a draw down from reserves, a performance and resource report showed.

Tonbridge and Malling Council has added £1.3m to its reserves because of positive returns on its investments, a financial outturn report showed.  The council’s

South Holland District Council has exceeded its investment income target, a financial outturn report showed.  The council’s 2025/26 budget for investment income was £1.098m,

The London Collective Investment Vehicle (LCIV) partner fund has committed fresh money to Index Linked Gilts, amid a wider review of its strategic asset

Spending on children’s placements in county and rural areas is set to top £4.8bn annually by 2035 unless action is taken to prevent more

Bill Butler is set to become the first chair of the Local Audit Office (LAO) after securing the approval of MPs. Butler, currently chair

Greg Smith is joining LGPS Central after holding senior roles at the Local Pension Partnerships which included director of strategic programmes and group company

Warrington Borough Council has terminated an option agreement for site acquisition as part of its strategy of reducing debt – which is on track

Wiltshire Council’s investment income has exceeded its 2025/26 target by £2.6m, a treasury management outturn report showed. The council’s total interest received from all

Kent County Council has reported an overspend of £22.7m for 2025/26 as adult social care demand and complexity pressures continued, a budget monitoring report

BCP Council has delivered £56m in savings through transformation programmes over six years, which have been “crucial” in reducing annual ongoing expenditure, a financial

Dorset Council has reported its first budget underspend since becoming a unitary authority in 2019. Although small at £169,000, the council said the underspend

Secretary of state for housing, communities and local government Steve Reed has announced new details of the government’s agenda to reform local services, including