The public spending watchdog warns that the system is becoming ‘financially unsustainable’ for councils
New mayoral planning abilities could drive growth but cause political pain — while funding remains another blocker
Devolution white paper aims to create larger authorities and more elected mayors
Lengthy backlogs caused by chronic lack of capacity in local government and audit market
Authority to pay about £250mn to settle historic dispute, far less than previously expected
Payout likely to be lower than original top-end estimate of £760mn which has led to steep service cuts and asset sales
National Audit Office criticises ‘material and pervasive’ gaps in public sector audits
Chancellor is trying to remove some of the inefficiencies from operating smaller local authority funds
Reeves’ Mansion House speech will push for faster integration of council retirement schemes
Chancellor to set out reform to fragmented local authority funds in Mansion House speech
Bennett Institute research underlines scale of strains social care placing on local government financing
Local government expected to suffer further squeeze in chancellor’s first Budget
Even in relatively prosperous Hampshire, the cost of providing social care is swallowing up funding for everything else
Cost of specialist school places is placing huge financial strain on cash-strapped councils
Officials hope summits involving regions and centre can lead to devolution of decision-making and growth initiatives
Regional government key to improvements in health, policing and education, even when funds are short, study finds
Unison warns funding shortfalls could lead to ‘widespread collapse of local government’ across country
Report says £644mn needed to clear backlogs and start building
Plan to transform former steelworks in north-east England has been criticised for offering poor value to taxpayers
Local councils will have ‘full support’ to roll out speed-reduction measures
Calls for public inquiry into last year’s collapse after academic report puts spotlight on auditors, city council and Tory government
Thurrock Council accuses Liam Kavanagh of diverting funds to buy a yacht, a Bombardier jet and a 232-acre country estate
And we have the charts to prove it
Councils will not be able to reject developments on grounds of being ‘out of character’
Treasury says tax will be applied to payments made from Monday on terms starting next year
