Harry Fone: How to avoid Croydon’s fate

Councils should only enter into the investment world if they know what they’re doing. They must remember that public money is at serious risk.

“The Chancellor has passed the responsibility to us. Can’t complain.” Council leaders respond to the Spending Review.

Some welcome the extra power to put up Council Tax. But they are reluctant to use it when their residents are already hard-pressed.

Sunak opts to suck it and see

The OBR’s horrid forecasts of an output implosion and soaring unemployment will do nothing to quell Tory resistance to tougher Covid tiers.

Peter Golds: The skewed enforcement priorities of Tower Hamlets Council

Law abiding local citizens face continuous harassment. Genuine problems caused by illegal activity are ignored.

Kevin Hollinrake: Replacing council tax and stamp duty should be part of the roadmap for a fairer Britain

The former, in particular, is exacerbating social inequalities. Instead, we need a proportional property tax.

Andrew Carter: Devolving responsibilities to our town halls must also mean devolving money

We should be asking ourselves what we want from local government in the future, particularly in light of the Covid-19 crisis.

Why the obsessive focus on new tax rises when we need proper spending control – in the form of a real zero-based review?

The Treasury should hold one as the year rolls on, along the lines of that undertaken by Canada’s government during the 1990s.

Gareth Lyon: In defence of district councils

Local identities matter. Rather than abolishing small local authorities, more power should be handed down to them.

Chris Criscione: Financially reckless councils are the exception, not the rule

It would be wrong for the Government to restrict the independence of local authorities to decide on borrowing and commercial investment.

Nicky Morgan: Ministers must act swiftly to avoid a disaster – bailiffs abusing vulnerable people over council tax arrears

Aggressive and intimidating enforcement plagued our system long before Covid: now is not the time to cross our fingers and hope that this might change.

Martin Thacker: How we froze the Council Tax in North East Derbyshire

We remain steadfast in our resolve to put the welfare of every resident first and foremost.

Eric Pickles: Flexibility is needed for those falling behind in paying Council Tax

Rules should be changed to help the hard-pressed, facing a visit from the bailiffs – and caught in a spiral of worsening debt.

Will town halls run out of money?

The funding pressures are genuine. But expecting to be “fully” compensated by central Government is unrealistic.

Kris Wilson: People in Nuneaton and Bedworth are desperate for change

The local Conservatives launch a manifesto of vision, ambition, and aspiration for May 2020.

Judy Terry: Suffolk residents are facing a Council Tax increase, yet the wasteful spending continues

Ipswich Borough Council’s decision to “improve” the Cornhill, a popular public space fronting the former Town Hall, is proving disastrous.