Restoration work - The 'Donnygate affair' is just one sleaze story contributing to the tarnished image of local government. And, says David Harding, Doncaster council's internal inquiry into the allegations levelled at it will only be a small step towards restoring public confidence

A little local difficulty - Kent county council says the cost of looking after the growing influx of asylum seekers from east and southern Europe is costing more than u1m. Money it says cannot now be spent on local needs.

Harding, David, (1997)

Sea changes - A breath of New Labour blew into the seaside venue of this year's CIPFA Northern Ireland conference for public sector accountants.

Harding, David, (1997)

Putting down routes - The first steps to constitutional reform have been taken. But Labour's route to a New Britain also includes the regions. David Harding looks at how the proposed regional development agencies may change local government

Harding, David, (1997)