LAPF Strategic Investment Forum Presentations – Feb 9th

Northants borrows £110m from PWLB to replace short-term debt: Northamptonshire County Council has borrowed £110m from the Public Works Loan Board to replace short-term borrowing. The council took eight loans during August at rates between 1.12% and 2.0%… dlvr.it/RCz5Zr pic.twitter.com/NT43AD7wO9

Council PWLB borrowing hits record level in August: Borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board hit another recent record high in August, with councils taking £1.983bn in loans. The figure pips March’s figure of £1.93bn, a spree fuelled[...] dlvr.it/RCyVBH

Spending Review saves council from depleting reserves: Shropshire Council says last week’s Spending Review has rescued it from exhausting its reserves this year. A report from external auditors going before councillors this week says the authority… dlvr.it/RCxwvT pic.twitter.com/4tHifz3h00

Peterborough capital receipts episode prompts prudential framework review: The government is to consider changes to the prudential framework covering local authority finances to prevent a repeat of the controversy over Peterborough City Council’s use of… dlvr.it/RCvWBd pic.twitter.com/aMfIR1w24n

Spending Review: Rainy day funds still needed despite generous settlement: Councils need to maintain healthy reserves despite increased funding for councils through last week’s Spending Review, says Chris Buss. One of the advantages of not being a… dlvr.it/RCtvKH pic.twitter.com/HilORybgRa

Councils forced to use schools reserves to fund SENDs shortfall: The government failed to properly assess the financial consequences for councils of 2014 reforms to the system for supporting young people with special educational needs and disabilities… dlvr.it/RCsDBD pic.twitter.com/U4Q8CjhTUj

Modernising the construction industry in practice: This is article was sponsored by Legal & General, sponsor of the 2nd Housing & Regeneration Finance Summit. Rosie Toogood, CEO of Legal & General Modular Homes argues that housing[...] dlvr.it/RClbDC pic.twitter.com/8nE3upYeho

Chancellor aims cash boost at social care and SEND services: Social care and special needs funding were among the biggest winners in the chancellor’s spending statement. Sajid Javid promised certainty for a new era in his one-year spending statement.… dlvr.it/RCSrqx

LGPS to see launch of cost comparison site in 2020: The Scheme Advisory Board (SAB) for LGPS has awarded a contract to build a web-based platform that will allow comparison of asset managers’ fees and costs. SAB has awarded the[...] dlvr.it/RCSDlw pic.twitter.com/bhtLRvCXcr

SEND provision set for £700m boost while sector calls for change in policy: Special educational services are set for a £700m boost but directors have cautioned money alone isn’t enough. As part of a major spending pledge for primary and secondary… dlvr.it/RCPJQf pic.twitter.com/H1H4L2eJd6

Thanet urged to clarify s151 officer suspension: Councillors, residents and union leaders have demanded clarity on the decision to suspend Thanet District Council’s section 151 officer. Tim Willis, the director of finance and procurement, was suspended… dlvr.it/RCKWn0 pic.twitter.com/RFy2FBmqzC

Choppy waters: How to be an s151 at a troubled authority: Northamptonshire County Council recently announced the appointment of its fourth finance director in two years. Richard Harbord looks at the challenges of taking over financial leadership at an… dlvr.it/RCK1fC pic.twitter.com/ZJpS4fE0zs

Resetting the dial – getting public audit right: The complexity of the audit framework and fragmented responsibility for oversight are at the root of delays to the signing-off of last year’s accounts, says Paul Dossett. The audit profession[...] dlvr.it/RCK1bR pic.twitter.com/Rju27O2VRi

Short-term thinking: reacting to recent bond market movements: Council treasurers should be wary of 50-year loans from the Public Works Loan Board, despite the impact of recent movements in the bond market, says David Blake. Something strange is[...] dlvr.it/RC6RLS pic.twitter.com/HVB9MR6rDU

£1bn for high streets ‘not the panacea’: Councils say they need more help from the government after its £1bn pledge of high street funding. The government announced 50 councils could bid for up to £1bn from the[...] dlvr.it/RC5s9Z pic.twitter.com/Ah2KARIpTf

LGA calls for Right to Buy reform: The government faces a call to reform the Right to Buy programme amidst claims that local authority housebuilding cannot keep pace with the sale of council homes. The Local Government[...] dlvr.it/RC5s2f pic.twitter.com/7DtOBoCmZ8

Javid brings forward Spending Review: Chancellor Sajid Javid has fuelled general election speculation by fast-tracking his spending review. He will deliver his one-year spending plans next week and signalled he would increase funding on voter-friendly[...] dlvr.it/RC2Mwl pic.twitter.com/lpl79AwBnM

Complexity undermining good governance, says LGPS adviser: Underlying governance for the Local Government Pension Scheme is so complex it could provide an “excuse” for non compliance with guidance and advice given to administering authorities, according… dlvr.it/RC2Msk pic.twitter.com/6WAk6Cin08