CIPFA chief executive Rob Whiteman says that he has been “blown away” by the level of response to his organisation’s consultation on a new financial resilience index.
The consultation, launched in July, suggested English councils could face six tests under a proposed new “traffic light” scheme, including changes in reserve levels and the ratio of government grants to net revenue expenditure.
The consultation has now closed, with Whiteman welcoming comments which have been submitted on the methodology, design and presentation of the index.
He said: “We are positively blown away by the scale and quality of the responses we have received, which shows the importance of the subject and that debate is much needed.
“The many thoughtful and insightful comments will help us create a tool that works for individual local authorities and strengthens the sector.”
The proposals have proved controversial in some sections of the local government finance sector.
Last week, writing in Room151, Chris Buss, former executive director (resources and assets) at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and a former director of finance & deputy chief executive at the London Borough of Wandsworth, said: “Publishing a league table that is potentially open to criticism, if proved to be partially justified, could counter the view that CIPFA is an impartial professional voice.”
