Jamie Hailstone
Are STPs delivering the change agenda?
Senior local government and health executives met together recently at a round table organised by The MJ and Civica to discuss the lessons for their sectors from the sustainability and transformation partnerships. Jamie Hailstone reports on the conclusions
It’s all about relationships
Local authorities have assets and property portfolios which can be unlocked to add value. A commission has been set up to consider the use of ‘Relational Partnering’ (RP) as an additional property option for local authorities when meeting best value. Jamie Hailstone reports on a recent round table which discussed some of the Commission’s initial findings.
Turning challenges into opportunities
Despite growing challenges for local government and financial uncertainty ahead of the upcoming Budget, the response continues to be positive. Jamie Hailstone reports from a round table in association with PwC in which chief executives from the Core Cities group gave their views.
Frugal authorities may be left exposed to more cuts
It is a ‘tragic truth’ that local government’s ability to deal with cuts has left it vulnerable to further cuts in next week’s Budget, a top academic has suggested.
Working on our Core
Jamie Hailstone reports from a Core Cities-influenced round table event in Manchester in which key figures debated a recent green paper centering on inclusive growth and devolution
S106 is 'pricing developers out of the market'
Costly Section 106 agreements are pricing some developers out of the market, according to the peer-to-peer lending website Lendy.
Rental boost revealed as homelessness rises
The Government has announced further plans to boost the private rental sector and tackle affordability in the market.
Council apologises for pollution figures tampering
Cheshire East Council has apologised after admitting its air quality figures were deliberately tampered with for three years.
Birmingham’s innovation campus in search of investment
A company owned by Birmingham City Council is looking for a new investor to help it almost double the size of a local innovation campus.
Serco gets back on the ‘long road to prosperity’
The group chief executive of Serco has admitted the ‘road back to prosperity’ was always going to be ‘long and winding’.
Cornwall shock as Growth Deal only delivers £18m
Cornwall Council has expressed its ‘shock’ after the Government allotted just £18m to the county in the latest Growth Deal announcement.
Birmingham denies Rogers in line for £500k exit package
Birmingham City Council has denied that outgoing chief executive Mark Rogers is in line for a £500,000 payoff.
Glasgow plans £30m TIF deal
Glasgow City Council is to develop a £30m tax incremental finance (TIF) package to fund the development of a new innovation district.
53% of London’s 30 boroughs plan to replace IT systems
More than half of local authorities in London are planning to replace their IT systems, according to new research.
Council buys Tesco site for £43.5m
Rotherham MBC has bought a former Tesco store, which will form a key part of a £43.5m regeneration project.
Authority’s £50m fund will support services
Broxbourne BC has agreed to create a £50m fund to invest in new properties.
Council steps back from unitary referendum plans
Lincolnshire CC has backtracked on the idea of a unitary referendum after objections from the districts.
Shapps wades into revaluation row
A former local government minister has waded into the ongoing row over business rates revaluation.
Kent districts urged to drop unitary aims
Kent CC’s leader has called on the four districts contemplating a merger to distance themselves from the idea they will eventually become a unitary.
Councils loan £17.5m to waste partnership
Five district councils in Somerset have agreed to loan their waste partnership a total of £17.5m to buy new recycling vehicles.