Section 114 notices are unfit for purpose, two senior officers at the London Borough of Croydon – which issued two last year due to financial problems – told MPs this week.
The government is to retrospectively ban business rates appeals based on a drop in property values due to Covid-19, a move labelled as “scandalous” by rating advisers.
A decision by NHS trusts to back down in their legal battle to receive business rates rebates removes a huge headache for local authorities, experts have told PF.
Concerns raised by legal and finance officers over land sales by Liverpool City Council went ignored, according to the damning report likely to lead to commissioners being imposed at the authority.
A government review has uncovered a litany of mismanagement relating to procurement, standalone companies and property-related services by Liverpool City Council.
The department for Health and Social Care’s oversight on the adult social care market is ineffective, and the department is unable to say if its funding gives value for money, according to a report...
A government consultation on business rates has found widespread opposition to its replacement by a capital values tax – but the idea of an online service tax got a warmer welcome.
The government is poised to appoint commissioners to take over the day-to-day running of Liverpool City Council following a corruption probe, according to reports.
Anticipated council tax losses for local authorities in England resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic are now more than a third lower initial expectations.
The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government is turning its spotlight on local health bodies as part of its fundamental review of local government audit.
Departmental spending reductions implied by the Budget are more severe than first thought, and could see funding 8% lower than pre-Covid plans in some areas, according to the Institute for Fiscal...
Despite significant support from central government, the outlook for local authority finances is uncertain, says National Audit Office director Aileen Murphie.
The government has revised support measures to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority after pulling out of a £100m affordable housing agreement.
A permanent drop in council income streams mean the government’s pre-Covid-19 strategy for reforming local government funding is a “busted flush”, according to Rob Whiteman, CIPFA chief executive.
Local audit delays exacerbated by Covid-19 have undermined central government departments’ oversight of their sectors, according to the National Audit Office.
Local authorities would be barred from receiving additional funding for bus services if they fail to enter into an ‘enhanced partnership’ or franchise scheme with bus operators, under new proposals.
Inner London council tax bills will see the biggest percentage increase of any region in England in 2021-22, due to a 9.5% increase in the precept for the Greater London Authority.
Levels of waste recycling have a direct impact on local authorities’ balance sheets – and reforms to the system are expected to provide a welcome boost
Councils’ net spending was 11% higher in the nine months to December than the same period last year, according to data compiled by the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government.
Councils still face a funding gap of more than £600m this financial year due to Covid-19, despite huge government support for the sector, the National Audit Office has found.
