Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2010 - Invitation to Comment

The CIPFA/LASAAC Local Authority Code Board has released the 2010 Code Exposure Draft and Invitation to Comment for public consultation. The 2010 Code, which is the first to be prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), would apply to accounting periods starting on or after 1 April 2010.

There have been concerns that the move to IFRS could potentially impact on Council Tax and housing rents. CIPFA has therefore had discussions with the Department for Communities and Local Government and the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to ensure any impacts can be minimised, if not avoided. Initial proposals for the necessary measures are set out in the consultation document and, based on discussions to date, we anticipate that measures will be in place in time for authorities to set their 2010/11 budgets.

The transition to IFRS is one of the most important changes to local government financial reporting for a number of years. The consultation closes on 11 September.  We would welcome comments on any aspect of the draft Code for 2010/11, so please take the time to contribute your views, and help us make this critical change a success.  A form to help you prepare your response is available.

Best Value Accounting Code of Practice 2008: Consultation on revised Police SEA

BVACOP 2008 included a single line SEA for Police Services, but stated that further work was being undertaken in this area and that a revised SEA would be published when available. This consultation covers the revised SEA.

Responses are invited by 23 March 2009 on the following question:

Do you agree that the Divisions of Service included in the revised Police SEA are appropriate for the service? Please provide reasons for your answer.

Download the consultation document [word file, 143K]

Responses to this consultation paper should be sent preferably by email (paul.mason@cipfa.org) to:

Paul Mason
CIPFA
3 Robert Street
London WC2N 6RL

Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom - SORP - Invitation to Comment

The CIPFA/LASAAC Local Authority SORP Board has today released the 2009 SORP Exposure Draft and Invitation to Comment for public consultation. The 2009 SORP would apply to accounting periods starting on or after 1 April 2009. The proposed developments are:

(a) Adopting requirements for accounting for PFI schemes and similar arrangements that are consistent with the adaptation of IFRIC 12 Service Concession Arrangements contained in the Government's 2009/10 Financial Reporting Manual (FReM) and Whole of Government Accounts' requirements.

(b) Including more detailed and in some respects different requirements for accounting for council tax and national non-domestic rates in England, Scotland and Wales and rates in Northern Ireland.

(c) Removal of larger parishes and community councils from the list of bodies to which the SORP applies.

(d) Accounting for reorganised local authorities.

(e) Other minor amendments.

Comments on the SORP Invitation to Comment are invited by 8 February 2009.

Invitation to comment (22 pages)
Extract of ITC Questions (5 pages)
2009 SORP Exposure Draft (26 pages)

Consultations on Financial and Stakeholder Reporting by Local Authorities

This is a time of great change for local authority accounting and reporting. CIPFA is therefore seeking views on the future direction of financial and stakeholder reporting by local authorities in two separate but linked consultations.

'Back to Basics' asks what format the Statements of Accounts should take following the introduction of IFRS in 2010/11, and how they can be made more relevant to stakeholders.

'Telling the Whole Story' is aimed at start a debate on the future of wider stakeholder reporting, focusing on local people’s needs and providing the information and tools needed to hold local authorities to account.

Responses are invited by 31 July 2008. Please send these, preferably by email to:

Back to Basics: basics@cipfa.org or Paul Mason, Policy and Technical Directorate, CIPFA, 3 Robert Street, London WC2N 6RL

Telling the Whole Story: alison.scott@cipfa.org or Alison Scott, Policy and Technical Directorate, CIPFA, 3 Robert Street, London WC2N 6RL

DOWNLOAD: Telling the Whole Story Consultation Paper (40 pages) - PDF [212KB]
DOWNLOAD: Telling the Whole Story Questions (3 pages) - Word [99KB]
DOWNLOAD: Back to Basics Consultation Paper (30 pages) - PDF [184KB]
DOWNLOAD: Back to Basics Questions (7 pages) - Word [211KB]