Harry Fone: If Slough Council wants action on the cost of living, it should start by raising its game

Plus: Welsh council reserves increase during the pandemic. The complex Council Tax rebate is an utter shambles, with widespread delays.

Harry Fone: Nearly 3,000 council officials are on six figure pay packages – including rewards for failure

Plus: Pet projects in Durham, with a £50 million new HQ. Councillors in Wolverhampton increase their allowances by 17 per cent.

Harry Fone: Over half of households face Council Tax bills of over £2,000 – as waste and extravagance continue

Shetland, Wandsworth, Southampton, and Harlow are among the few local authorities bucking the trend.

Harry Fone: Harlow offers proof that Council Tax bills do not have to rise

Through its “efficiency dividend” residents will receive a reduction of up to £50 this year, without any cuts to frontline services.

Harry Fone: Havering’s Council Tax hike has no justification

How can it be fair that local residents are hit financially, yet councillors’ allowances and executive remuneration have both increased?

Harry Fone: Councils should stop risking our money by playing the property market

It is more sensible for local authorities to pursue the commercialisation of existing services over commercial property investments.

Harry Fone: Cut the number of councillors, not just their allowances

Plus: Gwynedd Council should not take the day off for St David’s Day. In Warrington, the nightmare that is council energy companies returns.

Harry Fone: Councils need to get back to basics on their spending priorities

From failing energy companies, to white elephant projects, many local authorities have continued to pour public money down the drain.

Harry Fone: My Christmas Awards to local authorities this year

It may be the season of goodwill but many councils deserve a lump of coal after their misuse of public money.

Harry Fone: Councils use “Welcome Back Fund” for wasteful spending projects

We have Rugby’s Lego Trail, a pop-up beach in Stoke, and Wigan splashing out £125,000 on social media campaigning.

Harry Fone: Brighton and Hove City Council raked in £1.8 million from just four bus lane cameras in a little over a year

Plus: Winchester’s woeful welcome. Test Valley Borough Council in Hampshire has managed to cut its stationery costs by £55,000.

Harry Fone: The three per cent limit to the rise in Council Tax is good news – up to a point

Plus: Mismanagement continues in Slough. Bassetlaw Council spends £320,000 to improve the energy efficiency of a golf club it owns.

Harry Fone: Local authorities should not start or invest in energy companies

In Bristol, Nottingham, and Portsmouth the result has been that Council Taxpayers’ money has gone up in smoke.

Harry Fone: Councillor allowances should not be used to fund political parties

Council staff and administrators are often handling the financial transactions via the payroll. It gives a motive to push spending up.

Harry Fone: Greater transparency should be required on councils making commercial investments

Local residents need to know what their council is up to and how well portfolios are performing. Proper oversight is lacking.