More than half of local authority audit opinions for 2019-20 missed the extended 30 November deadline, according to oversight body Public Sector Audit Appointments.
Local authorities’ spending on buying property has fallen more than half following the outbreak of Covid-19, according to statistics from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The London Borough of Croydon has issued a second section 114 notice after it was unable to make sufficient cuts to balance a forecast £66m overspend in its budget this year.
The Covid-19 pandemic is likely to have a long-lasting impact on governance and financial management in public bodies – Sarah Sheen looks at the issues.
Making hard choices is the only way for London Borough of Croydon to bounce back from the financial brink, says the authority’s cabinet member for finances.
City of Edinburgh Council’s use of its general fund reserves is unsustainable and will be unable to cover future economic shocks, Audit Scotland has warned.
Croydon Council has been unable to set out more than £11.2m of in-year savings towards a £67m shortfall this year – saying the task is impossible without central government support.
A council granted a capitalisation direction in March has warned it could be forced to deplete its usable reserves down to “unsustainable levels” to help meet an £11m funding gap.
The financial performance of London Borough of Croydon’s commercial companies and other ventures have consistently missed forecasts outlined in their business plans, according to a review.
Ealing Council has approved plans to borrow more than £390m over 50 years to on-lend to its housing company to build more than 1,300 affordable homes over the next six years.
Section 151 officers face a 'tipping point’ requiring tough decisions on whether to follow London Borough of Croydon in issuing a section 114 notice, CIPFA chief executive Rob Whiteman has told MPs.
Around 80% of county and unitary authorities are expected to make cuts next year in order to set a balanced budget, according to a survey from the County Councils Network.
Croydon Council has issued a section 114 notice banning all non-essential spending, due to the “severe ongoing financial challenges” facing the authority.
An investment strategy agreed by Cotswold District Council to borrow more than four times its annual budget has been labelled deeply concerning by its opposition leader.
A 25% increase in audit fee variation rates for 2020-2021 is being proposed by the Public Sector Audit Appointments, following recommendations from the Redmond Review.
Councils in England are set to receive an additional £170m in government funding following a government U-turn over additional support for low-income families this winter.
Capital receipts for councils in England dropped by more than 30% last year to £2.8bn, the lowest level in the last five years, according to government statistics.
Manchester City Council is set to fundamentally review its size and structure, warning that efficiency savings cannot not cover a forecast £135m funding gap next year.
Ipswich Borough Council has approved plans to use all but £50,000 of its usable reserves above its legal buffer by March 2024, to help offset future Covid-19 pressures.