Mark Conrad 20 March 2018

Javid orders review after second council payment error

The Government has ordered a review after being forced to admit a second mistake in as many months in the way it calculates council payments.

Local government secretary Sajid Javid said he would not seek to clawback £36m of over-payments in 2018/19 after officials uncovered an ‘historical error’ in the methodology used to calculate the sums paid to business rate pilot areas.

The mistake comes weeks after a major miscalculation in the recent local government finance settlement.

As a result of the latest error in the sums used to adjust tariffs and top-ups, over-payments were made to 27 local authorities and the Greater London Authority.

A written parliamentary statement by Mr Javid read: ‘These local authorities will have been operating on the understanding that this funding has already been secured and, at this this late stage in the year, a sudden reduction in their funding could potentially have an impact on the delivery of the objectives agreed as part of their devolution deals.

‘Therefore, although the rules of Managing Public Money indicate that the department should recover the overpayment, I have issued a direction requesting that the permanent secretary does not do so in this extraordinary circumstance.’

For more on this story, visit The MJ (£).

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

Social Worker - Family Support and Safeguarding - Bicester Banbury

Oxfordshire County Council
£37035 - £47754
You will manage a caseload tailored to your experience, ensuring that children’s and their families’ voices are heard, and their needs are met. You will work with families using the FSP Workbook modules, and a strengths-based approach, ensuring the As Bicester
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Executive Director of Resources & Governance (S151 Officer)

Basildon Borough Council
Up to £146,245
Together, we lead. Together, we deliver. Together, we transform. Basildon, Essex
Recuriter: Basildon Borough Council

Executive Director of Homes, Communities & Environment

Basildon Borough Council
Up to £146,245
Together, we lead. Together, we deliver. Together, we transform. Basildon, Essex
Recuriter: Basildon Borough Council

Executive Director of Strategy, People & Transformation

Basildon Borough Council
Up to £146,245
Together, we lead. Together, we deliver. Together, we transform. Basildon, Essex
Recuriter: Basildon Borough Council
Linkedin Banner