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

Reform defends £700m council savings claim image
Reform defends £700m council savings claim
English council data breaches up 53% image
English council data breaches up 53%
EXCLUSIVE: Two unions reject pay offer image
EXCLUSIVE: Two unions reject pay offer
Council leaders warn EP shortage threatens SEND ambitions image
Council leaders warn EP shortage threatens SEND ambitions
London faces loss of 42,000 homes from development pipeline image
London faces loss of 42,000 homes from development pipeline

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 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

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

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 #Wales #Unions #Transport #Social Housing #social care #Scotland #Schools #Safety #Renting #Regeneration #Potholes #Planning #Pay #Parking
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Social Worker - Neighbourhood Team

Essex County Council
£48205 - £57988 per annum + Hybrid Working
About the TeamWe're looking for a passionate and experienced Social Worker to join our West Essex Neighbourhood Team. The team primarily operate acro England, Essex, Harlow
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Cleaner

Durham County Council
£24,796 (pro rata)
Cleaner Grade 1- £24,796  (pro rata) Permanent- Part time, 12.5 hours per week Currently 3.30pm to 6pm Monday to Friday (subject to change depending o Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Project Manager

Durham County Council
Grade 12 - £44,075 - £48,226
Can you make a real difference to the residents of County Durham by helping shape services across Durham? We are looking for a project manager with e Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Project Facilitator

Durham County Council
Grade 5 - £26,403 - £25,598
Are you a highly organised and proactive facilitator and administrator, keen to play a key role in supporting a new PMO team, ensuring the smooth coor Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

School Crossing Patrol

Durham County Council
Grade 1 £4,106 (approx.) £12.85 per hour
Join our School Crossing Patrol Service! Are you punctual and reliable? Do you have good communication skills and a strong sense of community spirit? Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner