Councils are being told today that they could save hundreds of millions of pounds if they took tougher action against fraud. The Audit Commission says people fraudulently claiming a single person discount on their council tax could be costing taxpayers almost 2 million pounds a week and tenancy fraud could be tying up at least 50,000 council and housing association homes.

Read more on COUNCILS ‘COULD SAVE MILLIONS’ BY DOING MORE TO COMBAT FRAUD…

The Government and local councils are being urged to expand dramatically the number of public allotments by building on brownfield sites and encouraging landowners to give unused plots to local communities. The New Local Government Network wants local authorities and the Government to make better use of brownfield land to create new allotments.

Read more on REPORT CALLS FOR ACTION TO INCREASE NUMBER OF ALLOTMENTS…

This briefing for elected members on managing land and buildings from the Audit Commission, explains how they can ensure that their council manages its property more efficiently and effectively. It is aimed at all councillors.

Read more on ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT…