Business
Council in talks with government after Vauxhall blow
Cheshire West & Chester Council’s leader is monitoring the situation at Ellesmere Port ‘carefully’ after hearing hundreds face redundancy from the Vauxhall car plant.
North West Leicestershire DC has appointed a new strategic director of place
North West Leicestershire DC has appointed an architect-planner to the role of strategic director of place.
West Sussex set to probe nine care homes
West Sussex CC has revealed it is investigating nine care homes owned by a private operator after 12 people died.
‘Sector let down by housing association’s poor governance’
The largest housing association in Sunderland has been downgraded after a regulator found senior staff who left were awarded packages that were not sufficiently scrutinised.
Kier wins £200m contract
Shropshire Council has swapped Ringway for Kier to deliver its highway services in a 10-year contract that could be worth more than £200m.
Mayors secure meeting with Brexit secretary
Three Northern Powerhouse mayors raised their concerns with Brexit secretary David Davis in York.
Former Ofsted inspector moves to Walsall
Walsall MBC has appointed a new director of children’s services. Sally Rowe will join the council from Luton BC where she is the corporate director of people.
WMCA to push ahead with CIF deal without Sandwell
West Midlands Combined Authority has insisted it will push ahead with its regional investment fund despite Sandwell MBC pulling out.
Coventry: Councils should adopt stricter transport licensing laws
Councils need to reassert control over taxi and private hire operations across the country, a Coventry city councillor has said after Uber came under fire in London.
‘Reduce councils’ reliance on outsourcing’
Councils should continue to draw on private sector expertise to deliver public services, a local authority outsourcer has insisted after Labour announced its plans for government.
Carillion hit by £1bn half-year loss
Struggling facilities management and construction company Carillion has reported a ‘disappointing’ loss of more than £1bn for the first half of this financial year.
‘Give us better access to Brexit negotiations’
Ministers must provide the sector with better access to ongoing Brexit negotiations or risk leaving councils unable to cope with new demands on services, a local authority chief executive has warned.
Chorley's deputy chief executive retires after 20 years
Chorley BC’s deputy chief executive has retired from the role.
White Van Man on ... PFI contracts
When I was a lad my mum used to buy her sofas and fridges and washing machines on the never-never. You know, buy now, pay later, say a tenner a month for about three years by which time whatever you’d bought had fallen apart.
Property portfolio purchase
Spelthorne BC has bought property at Heathrow Airport for £45m. This is the latest addition to the council’s property portfolio, which includes BP’s office park purchased for a reported £360m last year.
Some Brum grants don’t follow rules
Grants made by Birmingham City Council from a £300m fund allocated to the region’s local enterprise partnership have not duly complied with procedures, according to an audit report.
SMEs in a quandary over their funding rights
Small businesses are confused and often unaware of the funding available to them, an independent commission launched by a London council has found.
Deadlock leaves region ‘impatient’
Yorkshire is ‘running out of patience’ waiting for a devolution deal, the chair of the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has warned.
Council defends plans to borrow £100m to fund £1bn regeneration project
Bolton MBC's leader has defended plans to borrow £100m to fund a £1bn regeneration project.
Send commissioners to Grenfell fire council, Labour demands
The shadow home secretary Diane Abbott has called on the Government to send commissioners into Kensington & Chelsea RLBC.