Business
Persimmon takes profits hit
Housebuilder Persimmon has announced a fall in profits as it attempts to salvage its reputation.
Pressure mounts on councils to recycle food waste
English councils have been urged to speed up the roll-out of food waste collections as figures reveal 1,000 tonnes a day end up in landfill.
Mitie offloads catering business
Outsourcer Mitie has sold the catering and hospitality arm of its business in a deal worth up to £85m.
Councils push for powers to regulate Airbnb accommodation
Bath & North East Somerset Council has joined calls for powers to regulate Airbnb accommodation.
North Yorkshire mulls utilities flood defence funding
North Yorkshire CC is to look at funding flood defence work through contributions from utilities companies.
Labour announces plans to ‘revive’ high street
A Labour Government would give councils the power to reopen abandoned shops to ‘revive Britain’s struggling high streets,’ the party has said.
Acquisition delivers revenue boost for Mears
Mears’ acquisition of a rival social housing business has helped drive up its revenues so far this year.
Funeral review could lead to new burdens
A review of funeral services could lead to a ratings system for the industry and hand responsibility for poor practice to local government.
Tourism levy meeting call
Core Cities has called for a meeting with new culture secretary Nicky Morgan and her ministers to discuss the idea of a hotel room levy.
Local audit at a 'crossroads'
Local audit is at a ‘crossroads’ and needs to provide ‘better assurance and more impact for the public,’ Grant Thornton has said.
Winchester mulls new waste contract
Winchester City Council has extended a waste deal with Biffa while it draws up plans for a new long-term contract.
Herts and Veolia end incinerator contract
A contract between Hertfordshire CC and Veolia to build an incinerator has been terminated after repeatedly failing to gain planning permission.
Morgan Sindall capitalises on council contract wins
Morgan Sindall’s property services arm has helped bolster the group’s profit margins this year.
Council contributes to first UK sandscaping scheme
North Norfolk DC has contributed to the UK’s first sandscaping scheme to prevent further erosion and flooding along its coastline.
Capita urged to make pension improvements
Barnet Labour councillors have urged outsourcing firm Capita to make improvements to the authority’s pension scheme after thousands of mistakes were found.
EXCLUSIVE: Charity Commission to intervene in £2.4bn rates dispute
Charity Commission experts will be called on to help the High Court settle the long-running legal dispute between councils and NHS trusts over rates relief.
Bonds agency eyes 15% of lending market
The Municipal Bonds Agency (MBA) has revealed plans to capture up to 15% of the local authority lending market despite ongoing struggles to launch a bond.
Amey records £428m loss
A costly highways contract with Birmingham City Council has contributed to a pre-tax loss of £428m for outsourcing firm Amey.
Fine holds back Serco profits
A £20m fine has hit otherwise strong results by Serco in the first half of 2019.
Report discovers little assurance on council-owned company governance
A Hertsmere BC audit report has only given ‘limited assurance’ that its governance of council-owned companies is effectively controlled.