The MJ

1 week ago | themj.co.uk | Jonathan Werran |Amardeep Gill

REORGANISATION Audit, government and scrutiny must be reformed and renewed alongside reorganisation or the risk remains of larger-scale council financial failures, say Jonathan Werran and Amardeep Gill. W e are at a once-in-a-century crossroads in redefining the form, function and finances of local government. However, delays in local audits are serving to undermine public confidence in local government finances and are a hindrance to understanding the national balance sheet.

2 weeks ago | themj.co.uk | Julie Towers |Barry Quirk CBE |Simon T Kaye |Martin Ford

PAY Return on investment is the real issue If chief executives’ impact in local government is measured using clear metrics then perhaps the TaxPayers’ Alliance would pipe down, says Julie Towers. By Julie Towers | 08 April 2025 SHARE (c) LALAKA / Shutterstock.com. It was good to see leaders defending six figure salaries in local government in the recent article in The MJ; but I was disappointed that it was still even an issue.

3 weeks ago | themj.co.uk | Heather Jameson

HOMELESSNESS Picking up the pieces of a financial death loop Heather Jameson says: 'Amid a well-rehearsed list of increasing crises facing local authorities, squeezing their budgets to breaking point, the lack of affordable housing and the high cost of temporary accommodation is pushing councils over the edge.' By Heather Jameson | 03 April 2025 SHARE There were few laughs in the news headlines this 1 April, with widespread reports of the soaring cost of household bills across water, energy...

1 month ago | themj.co.uk | Emily Twinch

FINANCE Selling the family silver Heritage assets can cost councils hundreds of thousands of pounds to maintain, and with times as tough as they are it could feel like the natural option to sell them. But that might not always be the best solution – or even possible, as Emily Twinch finds out By Emily Twinch | 24 March 2025 SHARE In Hull a 200-year-old piece of the city's history stands derelict.

1 month ago | themj.co.uk | Jonathan Werran

DEVOLUTION Southern power play Jonathan Werran says the geographic and economic reality of a more prosperous and easily investable south, which guarantees a stronger return on capital, has often let the market take care of business. 'So, what does the South need from the devolution game?' By Jonathan Werran | 19 March 2025 SHARE An accusation made against the European power elites in recent weeks has been their helplessness in global relations.