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

Opinion

Most Popular News

Campaign launches to protect integrity of local elections image
Campaign launches to protect integrity of local elections
Councils cutting services to pay for social care, think tank warns image
Councils cutting services to pay for social care, think tank warns
Unison proposes adult social care pension scheme image
Unison proposes adult social care pension scheme
Ricky Gervais secures council approval for new mansion image
Ricky Gervais secures council approval for new mansion
Conservatives pledge ban on council four-day work weeks image
Conservatives pledge ban on council four-day work weeks

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 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

Acrospire Partners with Bath & North East Somerset Council to Illuminate Historic Film Location with LED Upgrade

Believ to install 22 charge points across Redcar and Cleveland

Acrospire Enhances Harlington Underpass with Energy-Saving Vandal-Resistant Lighting

Company Anouncements

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%

Vent-Axia Welcomes Healthy Homes Standard

Popular Topics

#Workforce #Waste management #Wales #Unions #Transport #Transformation #Social Housing #social care #SEND #Scotland #Schools #Safety #Renting #Regeneration #Potholes
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

School Crossing Patrol Officer

Essex County Council
Up to £13.4600 per hour
School Crossing Patrol Officer Chelmsford, Essex Part-Time, Temporary 7.5 hours per week, term-time only Up to 6 Months £13.46 PAYE / £17.24 Umbrella England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Deputy Team Manager - Older Adults Mental Health

Essex County Council
£48205 - £57988 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
Interviews will be held in person at Rowan House, Colchester on 6th May 2026.The TeamWe are a committed team working with adults aged 65 years plus a England, Essex, Colchester
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Adults Social Worker - Learning Disability & Autism

Essex County Council
£38487 - £51834 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
This is a 12 month fixed term contract or secondment opportunity.We're an adult social care service that wants to see citizens of Essex have as much England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Caseworker (Pharmacy Liasion)

Middlesbrough Council
£31,022 - £32,597
We have an exciting role on offer within our Public Health service as a Caseworker (Pharmacy Liason). Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: Middlesbrough Council

Carers and Co-production Practice Development Lead

Middlesbrough Council
£41,771 - £44,075
We have an exciting role on offer within our Quality and Practice team as a Carers and Co-production Practice Development Lead. Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: Middlesbrough Council
Linkedin Banner