Public bodies run costly risks when they use the Private Finance Initiative, argues Matthew Dillon. Managing special purpose companies is one of the most obvious
Conservatives gather next week knowing they need to spell out plans for austerity government. They’re taking tips from Tory ‘easyCouncils’
on how to get more for less. Philip Johnston asks whether...
With a spending squeeze looming, public sector leaders should take the initiative now to ensure any changes are on their terms. Gill Hunter advises on the best way to go about it
The Audit Commission has admitted to ‘teething problems’ in its new inspection regime for local authorities, following strong criticism from council leaders
money by scrapping almost all central government regulation and devolving power to frontline services have provoked anger in the Audit Commission and been dismissed by experts
This year’s conference season will be dominated by cuts - uncomfortable ground for Labour. Far from providing a policy platform, it might only highlight the government’s problems
Building firms that have been fined for rigging bids for public sector contracts should apologise to the public and hand back some of their profits, the Local Government Association has said
Councils could pool up to £30bn of their cash in a dedicated investment fund under Local Government Association plans drawn up following the Icelandic banking fiasco
Council tax payers in Scotland will have their bills frozen for a third successive year following budget plans announced by Finance Secretary John Swinney
The Audit Commission is urging councils to do more to fight fraud, warning that hundreds of millions of pounds are being lost each year due to false benefit claims and tax avoidance
A quarter of all government spending is on goods and services provided by third parties but the public sector is still poor at managing suppliers. In these difficult times, organisations need to get...
The scrutiny of Scotland’s councils by inspectorates and audit bodies will be reduced by about 25% following streamlining of the audit process, the chair of the Accounts Commission in Scotland told...
Councils moved closer to regaining their role as house-builders this week after the government gave 47 the go-ahead to build more than 2,000 homes on land they already own
The government must continue to devolve power to sub-regions and local authorities if it is to succeed in harnessing the ‘untapped potential’ in these areas, a think-tank has urged
Traditional capital funding methods are proving risky. So why shouldn't local authorities be able to adopt the US model of municipal bonds, asks Chris Leslie
Council-owned housing companies outside London are demanding they should not be forgotten after a task force was set up to protect decent homes work and other projects in the capital
