Reviled council cash system bites the dust

The finance frontier

On 28 March local authorities will boldly go where they have never been before as a new era of self-financing dawns. Keith Cooper finds out if they are ready for their journey into the unknown.

The big bang theory

As local authorities prepare for the brave new world of self-financing, we gather some council heavyweights for a round table discussion on what the future holds. Gavriel Hollander reports.

Positive thinking

Councillors doubt HRA reform will boost building

Local authority leaders have questioned whether the dismantling of the housing revenue account subsidy system will allow councils to start building large numbers of homes.

Borrowing rates set for councils to buy freedom

The rates of interest councils must pay on the loans they use to buy their way out of the housing revenue account subsidy system have been set.

Bank on a big change

Housing revenue account reform means for the first time councils can decide how much to borrow, but they must be on the ball if they are to get the best deal, says Rachel Terry

A force for good

Council housing self financing has begun, but what will the new era bring? Steve Partridge examines the possibilities

Another law bites the dust

EU rules are forcing a rethink on asbestos regulations, says Claire Gregory, associate at Brabners Chaffe Street

Scrapheap challenge

The price of metal has risen sky high making pipes, railings and even boilers an irresistible target to thieves. Chloë Stothart finds out how one housing association is tackling the growing problem of metal theft

Money matters

How do council housing heads and arm’s-length management organisation bosses fare in the salary stakes? Lydia Stockdale reveals the results of Inside Housing’s exclusive poll