Harry Fone: Vague titles and virtue signalling. The municipal “non jobs” are back in force.

Croydon has a “Cultural Transformation Engagement Programme” – and there’s more elsewhere.

Harry Fone: A browse through council contracts shows that extravagant spending continues

Free laptops for EU conferences. Town Hall Pravdas. Plus a “Brewery and Visitor Centre” on the Isle of Wight.

Harry Fone: The financial situation in Slough is even worse than thought

Plus: The move to monthly bin collections in Stirling is unjustified, given the high Council Tax that residents pay.

Harry Fone: Unanswered questions about Slough’s bankruptcy

2018-19’s accounts are still unaudited. Who knew about the massive black hole in the council’s finances?

Harry Fone: Social distancing rules have pushed up the cost of council meetings

Plus: Sheffield Council is wasting high street improvements funding on PR. A glimmer of hope in Croydon.

Harry Fone: Northamptonshire’s downfall was brought about by highly paid groupthink

Plus: the Public Accounts Committee fails to challenge Council waste. Nottingham still in the lead for extortionate tax.

Harry Fone: Slough Council slammed for sloppy accounting

Plus: Local authorities have deficits of over half a billion pounds. Police and Crime Commissioners should not be forced to employ deputies.

Harry Fone: Councils have saved millions on their printing bills

With new leadership in many local areas, there is lots of potential for bold and innovative ways to save money.

Harry Fone: Profligacy is to blame for the Council Tax rise in Wolverhampton

Plus: Waltham Forest’s proposed “consultancy support for a strategic reset” sounds like something from David Brent.

Harry Fone: Almost 700 council staff are paid over £150,000 a year

Nottingham City Council paid nine staff over £100,000 a year. What did local taxpayers get for their money? A failed council-owned energy company.

Harry Fone: Councillors in Walsall give themselves a big increase in allowances

Plus: The residents of Tunbridge Wells are left with the bill for their council’s Calverley Square vanity project.

Harry Fone: Whip withdrawn on Conservative councillors in Kent – for opposing Council Tax rise

Plus: Bean bags, ping pong tables, and padded pods, in Slough’s swanky new council offices.

Harry Fone: Holding council meetings online can save millions in travel expenses

Plus: Why is Sandwell Council spending £10,000 for a lighting company to project messages onto buildings?

Harry Fone: Parish councils can waste money too

The removal of the precept, a virtually guaranteed source of income, could well lead to greater fiscal prudence.

Harry Fone: Reserves should be used to limit Council Tax rises. If this isn’t a “rainy day”, what is?

Plus: Why are Police and Crime Commissioners asking for more money for keyrings and stress balls?