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The article discusses the proposed changes to council funding that were made by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles in England. It states that many councils raise concerns about his proposals to localise business rates and substitute Council Tax Benefit with local schemes. It is also noted that Pickles's plans would affect both the local government and individuals using and paying for the services.

The article focuses on Community Budget pilots in England wherein the councils will collaborate with local partners to gather different central government funding streamed into a single pot to better manage the needs of the community. It notes that the Community Budget experiment attempts to attain local growth and to lessen the councils' dependency to the state. The pilot is said to focus on 4 areas including Cheshire West and Chester, Greater Manchester councils, Essex and West London.

The article focuses on the contribution of English cities to the development of the national economy in England. A report from Centre for Cities has stated that England's major cities would grow if they would be equipped with more spending flexibility and increasing revenue generators. It emphasizes that economic development policies have been imposed in the country's city-regional level.

Focuses on the use of prudential borrowing by some local government councils in order to provide homes for underprivileged people in England. Terms of the prudential code; Benefits of the initiative for local finance; Risks involved in the process.

Reports on the aftermath of revelations by the council of Hillingdon, a borough in London, England that it has no reserves to cover for its overspending. Failures in the way the borough's finances are run; Lack of effective leadership by senior management; Difficulties with the computer accounting system the council uses.

Reports on the dilemma facing the Kingston upon Hull City Council in England as it ponders the best way to use profits gained from the sale of its telecommunication business. Concerns over the effects on Kingston Communication's share prices on the council's plan to sell its remaining stake; Capital improvements program drawn up for the council; Treasury Department's restrictions on how the profits can be spent.

Reports on the establishment of credit unions, local exchange or LETS and community banks in Birmingham, England following the closure of branch banks. Effect of branch banks' closures on local economy; Services offered by credit unions, LETS and community; How good banking technology can meet the needs of a local community.

The article discusses the 3 sets of pressures emerging on England's planning system which include an unprecedented financial squeeze on local government, move towards a combined authority model and the disappearance of all structures for strategic planning. Topics discussed include the lack of strategic direction except in London and outside the English borders and suggestion to go back to the county level in the shires and create the equivalent of strategic county teams in the big cities.

The article focuses on the plan of Wandsworth Council to launch a bond issue in a move that could become the first in a series of issuance from the British local authority sector. The purpose of the council's fund-raising effort to pay down debt inherited from the central government. Moody's will be appointed by the council to give it a credit rating, while HSBC and Morgan Stanley will be employed to handle a bond issue.

The article reports on several grants awarded for the enhancement of the use of technology in libraries, as of January 2006. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded WebJunction with a grant to extent a pilot of the Spanish Language Outreach Program to all 50 states. Meanwhile, the British online Public Libraries Challenge Fund will give grants to public library services across England. The National Leadership Grant was awarded by the Institute of Library and Museum Services to Rutgers University's School of Communication, Information and Library Studies and OCLC to research and evaluate the sustainability and relevance of virtual reference services.

Announces the 2005 to 2006 Public Engagement with Psychology Grants in England. Description of the applications made by different branches; Maximum amount of money awarded to people; Contact information for the grant.

Reports that the East Riding of Yorkshire Council has become the third council to achieve certification standard for its excellence in procurement policies and procedures from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply. Claim that consultation with customers and cross-directorate involvement had raised procurement's profile; Suggestion that the supplies unit provides an integrated and professional advisory service for procurement, warehousing, supply and distribution for all directorates within the authority, other public bodies and charitable organizations.

Reports on the appointment of Liz Welton as head of the corporate procurement department of the Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council. Aim to double the council's efficiency savings; Claim that purchasing will influence the council's entire purchasing budget and will also be involved in the biggest projects from information technology to highway maintenance and refurbishment contracts.

Reports on the decision of the city council of Manchester, England to choose Royal Bank of Scotland Mastercard over the Office of Government Commerce's Visa purchasing card. Reason why the city council chose Mastercard; Benefits of Visa purchasing card.

The article reports on the potential implementation of the Community Budget pilots in England. Under the strategy, it notes that the councils will collaborate with local partners to gather different central government funding streams into a single pot to better manage the needs of the community. However, Mike More of Westminster City Council states that the scheme must be acceptable to his council and partners for the pilot to be realized.

The article reports on the concerns of the city councils on the proposed business rate reform in England. It notes that the government is aiming to introduce a system of top-offs and tariffs wherein authorities with weak business rate bases will be provided with a funding top-up, financed by tariffs paid by flourishing authorities. According to Neil McInroy of the Centre for Local Economic Strategies, without proper equalisation, such system will worsen the existing inequalities in England.

The article highlights the 2007 "use of resources" rankings, published by the British Audit Commission on January 28, 2008. It reveals that seven out of 10 local authorities in England are now managing their resources above the expected minimum standards. The report shows a general improvement as authorities manage their finances more effectively.

The article speculates on a conflict among English councils outside London, England over the announcement of the first three-year local government finance settlement. Ministers are set to announce the detail of the provisional three-year local government finance settlement. Other details about the Comprehensive Spending Review are provided.

Highlights the Neighborhood Renewal Program in London, England. Targeted spending on the most needy areas; Geographical breakdown of service budgets; Culture shift effected to better manage the council's multifunction budget.

Discusses the financing of London, England's transportation system. Great Britain's ruling Labour Party's attitude toward devolution of power to local authorities; Need to give the city government tax power to cover for the Treasury Department's implicit guarantees; Development of financial instruments for local finance.

Discusses the effects of local government finance on council tax and charges for social services in Essex, England. Proposals being considered by Essex county council on its 1998-1999 budget; Status of finance of other counties; Effect of the transfer of the towns of Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock from Essex county council into unitary control on the budget of Essex.

The article reports on the huge variations of efficiency savings of local authorities in England. It reveals that figures from several local authorities including Kent, Wiltshire and Birmingham City differ even though they are of the same type. However, according to Local Government Association (LGA) senior policy consultant Elli Greenwood that the figures differ due to the variations in size and budget of local authorities.

This article focuses on a review of the communications department of Southampton City Council in England. According to the review, the department has been wasting 100,000 British pounds a year. The communications facility of Southampton was reviewed by the Westminster City Council. In addition, the review found that the communications performance of Southampton is currently weak and operating at a level below that of council services. Westminster proposed the appointment of a director of communications at Southampton.

This article reports that Deborah Davis, communications director of the Birmingham City Council, has been accused of using a taxpayer-funded credit card to spend £15,000 on foreign trips and entertaining in a year. A Freedom of Information requests were used by the "Sunday Mercury" to obtain data on expense claims filed by Davis. She contends that any personal expenses incurred have been reconciled and reimbursed in full on her return. Davis was also defended by Council Chief Executive Stephen Hughes.

The article focuses on the announcement of local government minister John Healey regarding its proposal to increase the police authorities taxes in England. It notes on the designation of the authorities in Derbyshire and Surrey to raise its council tax precept by 8.68 percent. Terry Neaves, finance director of Derbyshire Police Authority, implies that the tax increase will help fund the authorities' budget, and enables them to maintain current levels of operation.

The article reports that councils in England will again be allowed to use capitalization to help meet their equal pay obligations, according to Local Government Minister John Healey. It discusses the councils' efforts to meet the extra costs following the 1997 Single Status Agreement between unions and employers.

The article reports on the council leaders' demand for a fair funding settlement for London, England. A cross-party coalition of local authorities has written to Prime Minister Gordon Brown highlighting how the local government finance settlement damages the ability of councils to provide good-quality services to London's communities.

Reports that the eight councils in England affected by the British government's decision to limit their budgets have reacted angrily to the decision. Punishment of the councils for exceeding the council tax increase threshold set by the government; Impact of the budget cuts on services to communities.

Reports on a study on the system of local authority capital finance in England. Failure of the system despite improvements since the introduction of the Prudential Code; Support for the loosening of restrictions on councils' capital expenditure powers.

Reports on the criticism of the Members of the Parliament on the cost-effectivity for the funding of academic schools in England. Accusation of the Commons Education selection committee on the limitation of ministers for a coherent strategy and of rolling out schemes without proper evaluation; Cost for the Department for Education and Skills by the Academies; Evaluation on the current program of academies by the government.

Reports that deputy prime minister John Prescott has announced a further multi-million pound funding for the Thames Gateway.

Discusses the attacks on Mark Latham over the Liverpool Council report about the performance of Liverpool, New South Wales under Latham's tenure as mayor in the mid-1990s. Details of the report; Working capital deficit and debt-servicing ratio of the city during the period; Direct references to Latham in the report.

Reports that the London and West Midlands regions in England stand to gain financial benefits from the proposed business rate scheme of the British government. Details of the program designed to help councils attract businesses into their areas of responsibilities; Other councils expected to benefit from the proposed program.

Reports that the London, England-based Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) has called on the British government for extra funds to meet the costs of providing security during the November 2003 visit of U.S. President George W. Bush. Plan of the MPA to apply to the British Home Office for additional funding; Criticisms expressed by London Mayor Ken Livingstone against the security costs; Dispute with MPA chairman Toby Harris.

Discusses the report 'Funding a Better Future,' issued by England's Association of London Government (ALG), focusing on central government funding for London councils. Weaknesses of the fund distribution systems of government agencies; Costs of pupil mobility studied by the ALG.

Reports developments related to private finance initiatives (PFI) in England as of September 2002. Concessions acquired by Amec; Bid of Jarvis for the construction project of an Army college; Sales growth for PFI specialist Parkwood Holdings.

Reports that the council of Oldham, England is being forced to cut services or raise council tax rates to limit the damage that overspending is inflicting on its financial reserves. Prioritization of cuts; Damage done during the May 2001 riots.