The article was co-written with Prof Yseult Marique (University of Essex) and commented on how widespread financial problems are across local authorities in England

Dr Eugenio Vaccari (Senior Lecturer at Royal Holloway, University of London) and Prof Yseult Marique (Professor of Law at the University of Essex) recently co-authored an article for The Conversation. The full article is available here.

The article analysed why a growing number of English and Welsh councils are experiencing financial distress. The piece also identified the mechanisms available to local councils to deal with their financial troubles.

The article discussed the latest developments in the field, including the announced increase in the government’s grants to local councils and the relaxation to the fiscal rules applicable to these entities. It explained why these measures are equivalent to putting a plaster on the wall of a dam about to burst.

The article referred to the Research Network on Public Authorities and Financial Distress (RPAFD). This multi-disciplinary research network is co-ordinated by Dr Eugenio Vaccari and Prof. Yseult Marique, as well as Prof Laura N Coordes (Professor of Law, Arizona State University), Dr André Lino (Lecturer in Accounting, University of Essex), Prof Emanuele Padovani (Professor of Management, University of Bologna)and Prof Geo Quinot (Professor of Law, Stellenbosch University).