LocalGov.co.uk - Your authority on UK local government masthead
Heather Jameson 01 December 2006

Lyons may ‘never be made public’

The Lyons review on local government finance may never be published, a spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government has confirmed.
 
Despite press reports about delays earlier this week, the DCLG said: ‘Sir Michael Lyons will report his findings to ministers. We have never set out a timetable in terms of publication.’
 
He added: ‘We have never made a commitment to publish the report at all.’
 
But Local Government Association chairman Lord Bruce-Lockhart said: ‘We expected it to be published immediately. There is no possible reason for further delay.’
 
Sir Michael is due to report his findings on funding to Chancellor Gordon Brown, and communities and local government minister, Ruth Kelly, by 21 December. This deadline will not be delayed as Sir Michael is planning an eight-month sabbatical, starting at Christmas. So far, he has remained tight-lipped about contents of the paper, and has refused to rule out – or rule in – any of the proposed changes to the finance system put to him. Plans put forward have included reformed council tax and business rates and charges for services – including waste collection charges and tourist taxes.
 
A top finance spokesman has called on the Government to abolish capping, improve council tax and relocalise the business rates.
 
Chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), Steve Freer, said the Government’s handling of capping would ‘speak volumes’ about how it really saw councils.
 
The DCLG has faced repeated criticism over its delays to reforming the balance of funding, first for commissioning the Lyons review, then for delaying revaluation and extending the review.
 
Ms Kelly also faced tough criticism for putting the White Paper before any changes to finance which might come out of the Lyons review.

Analysis

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know image

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know

Councils and mayors are to be handed a central role in developing skills pipelines for local industries, as the Government unveils what it calls a ‘fundamental change’ to the education system aimed at tackling youth unemployment. Here's what council leaders and officers need to know.

Opinion

Most Popular News

Local government workers ‘reluctantly’ agree 3.3% pay boost image
Local government workers ‘reluctantly’ agree 3.3% pay boost
Wandsworth Council considers council tax rise of up to 160% image
Wandsworth Council considers council tax rise of up to 160%
Oldham Council refers itself to MHCLG after failed leadership vote image
Oldham Council refers itself to MHCLG after failed leadership vote
Devo minister resigns image
Devo minister resigns
Future Sheffield: How one city council is upskilling its workforce image
Future Sheffield: How one city council is upskilling its workforce

New Products

Safeguarding Children - the AAT Way

MSL enhances hygiene auditing with air quality testing for Awaab’s Law compliance

Cadcorp launches Mapestry

Bolton Council Upgrades 120+ School Crossings with Smart CMS Control by Lucy Zodion

NEC CONTRACTS HAS GONE DIGITAL: PAPERLESS, TO GIVE YOU MORE

Vent-Axia Delivers Social Housing a Smart Ventilation Solution Ahead of Awaab’s Law

New remotely lockable cabinet will help manage medication for people with mental health issues

Case Studies

Acrospire Improves Safety Across Greenwich Subways with LED Lighting Upgrade

Cornwall’s Coastal Heritage Lighting Upgraded with Acrospire Lanterns

Acrospire Delivers Durable Handrail Lighting Upgrade for Historical Landmark Jacob’s Ladder

Acrospire Delivers Seamless Heritage Lighting Upgrade on Bath’s North Parade Bridge

Acrospire Delivers Retrofit Lighting for Newbridge’s Joe Calzaghe Footbridge

Acrospire Delivers PIR-Controlled Lighting at Ruislip Lido Car Park

Spennymoor Market Place and Consett Middle Street revitalised using Thorn Lighting’s Thor Lanterns and Customisable Gobo Projectors

Company Anouncements

Acrospire promotes LED retrofit for structurally viable lighting assets

Vent-Axia Welcomes the Future Homes Standard as Competency Takes Centre Stage

Apricorn Becomes First and Only Hardware-Encrypted USB Storage Device Manufacturer to Achieve AS9100 Certification

AAT helps Councils step up to address children’s social care

CU Phosco Approved as a Crown Commercial Service Supplier

Acrospire triumphs at the 2025 HEA Awards with Sustainable Project of the Year

TRT Lighting retrofit helps Lincolnshire County Council cut street lighting energy use by over 65%

Popular Topics

#Young people #Workforce #Waste #Unions #Transport #Tax #social care #Skills #Schools #Safety #retention #Regeneration #reform party uk #Recruitment #Property
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Digital Support Analyst

Essex County Council
£30685.00 - £36099.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Digital Support AnalystPermanent, Full Time£30,685 to £36,099 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Commissioning Officer - Children's Service and Education Contracts

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
£39,526 - £43,613
We have an exciting opportunity available for a Commissioning Officer Maidenhead, Berkshire
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Part Time Vocational Trainer - Health and Social Care

Essex County Council
£38466.00 - £45254.00 per annum + Pro Rata
Part Time Vocational Trainer - Health and Social Care - South EssexPermanent, Part Time£29,468 to £34,668 Per Annum (full time equivalent) Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Permits Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£30,225 - £42,888 per annum
Job Title
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Assistant Director of Housing

City of York Council
£86,537 – £95,898
The city is entering an exciting period of transformation. York, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: City of York Council
Linkedin Banner