Committees

Financial distress in local authorities

Inquiry

Since 2018 eight English local authorities have issued section 114 notices. The results can be significant for local service delivery and local democracy. Various sources continue to report that other authorities are financially unsustainable and are at risk issuing a section 114 notice. This inquiry examines the current landscape of financial resilience in local authorities in England, what lessons can be learned from the recent issuers of section 114 notices, and how the various responsible bodies are fulfilling their responsibilities to ensure effective and sustainable local government.

Upcoming events

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Past events

Wednesday 6 December 2023
4:00pm Public
Financial distress in local authorities - Oral evidence 6 December 2023
4:00pm
  • Rt Hon Michael Gove (Secretary of State at Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
  • Nico Heslop (Director, Local Government at Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
  • Joanna Key (Director General, Regeneration at Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
Room 8, Palace of Westminster
Monday 20 November 2023
4:00pm Public
Financial distress in local authorities - Oral evidence 20 November 2023
4:00pm
  • Simon Hoare MP (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Local Government and Building Safety) at Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
  • Nico Heslop (Director of Local Government Finance at Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Monday 13 November 2023
4:00pm Public
Financial distress in local authorities - Oral evidence 13 November 2023
4:00pm
  • Mr David Phillips (Associate Director at Institute for Fiscal Studies)
  • Jonathan Carr-West (Chief Executive at Local Government Information Unit)
  • Abdool Kara (Executive Director at National Audit Office)
  • Paul Dossett (Partner and Head of Public Sector Assurance London & South-East at Grant Thornton)
5:00pm
  • Bob Watson (Section 151 officer at Surrey Heath Borough Council)
  • Steve Thompson (Section 151 officer at Blackpool Council)
  • Gary Fielding (Section 151 officer at North Yorkshire Council)
  • Lorna Baxter (President at Association of Local Authorities’ Treasurer Societies, and Section 151 officer at Oxfordshire County Council)
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Wednesday 8 November 2023
10:30am Public
Financial distress in local authorities - Oral evidence 8 November 2023
10:30am
  • Councillor John Fuller OBE (Vice Chair, Economy and Resources Board at Local Government Association)
  • Councillor Graham Chapman (Vice Chair at SIGOMA)
  • Councillor Claire Holland (Acting Chair at London Councils)
11:30am
  • Stephen Jones (Director at Core Cities UK)
  • Councillor Barry Lewis (Finance Spokesperson at County Councils Network)
  • Councillor Sam Chapman-Allen (Chair at District Councils Network)
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House

Contact us

  • Email: hclgcom@parliament.uk
  • Phone: 020 7219 6232 (general enquiries) | 020 7219 7556 (media inquiries)
  • Address: Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA