Business
Councils call for post-Brexit procurement reforms
Council leaders have called on the Government to ‘simplify’ the current rules on how local authorities buy goods and services once the UK has exited the EU.
‘Involve small firms in devo deals,’ CAs told
Combined authorities need to take small firms with them in any devolution deal-making, the Federation of Small Business (FSB) has urged.
Norse Group profits plunge by £1.8m
Norfolk CC’s wholly-owned company Norse Group’s underlying profits fell by nearly £1.8m in the last financial year despite an increase in turnover.
Action plan after Derby rapped over delayed accounts
Derby City Council has drawn up an action plan after being scolded by its auditor for delays to its 2016/17 accounts.
Council wins court battle days after Gove intervention
Sheffield City Council has won a court battle against people protesting about its tree-felling programme.
Council approves stadium loan
Salford City Council has approved a £630,000 loan to the home stadium of its main rugby league and union clubs.
Time for the medicine
Malcolm Morley analyses the commecial strategy of a major company and draws some key lessons for local authorities looking to generate some income.
Council raises borrowing limit by £150m
Torbay Council has dismissed fears after increasing its borrowing limit from £50m to £200m to help cover a £5m black hole.
Westminster councillor defends authority's PR firm
A Westminster City Council member has hit back at a national newspaper after it claimed that the authority's arms-length communications firm clashed with its role as a local authority.
Sheffield waste management talks continue
Discussions to extend a waste management contract are ongoing between Sheffield City Council and waste management firm Veolia, six months after the council voted to end the contract.
Serco profits fall despite increase in order intake
Outsourcing company Serco has reported a £15m decline in underlying profit for the first half of this year compared to 2016.
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 puts Chinatown development on notice
Liverpool City Council has issued a forfeiture notice against the developer that was working on one of its key regeneration projects for 2016/17.
Leeds seeks support for long-term growth strategy
Leeds City Council has invited businesses to pledge their support to its newly-launched growth strategy.
Standalone firm planned for Reading kids’ services
Fresh calls for an ‘independent evaluation’ of children’s services models have been made after Reading Council proposed plans for a council-owned company.
Regulation needs an approach with ‘bite’
Mark Rogers has called on local government to ‘put improvement before being friends’ amid fears the sector is not regulating itself effectively enough.
Replace lost EU funding, council leaders tell government
Local government has called on the Government to meet its pledge to replace lost EU regeneration funding.
Aberdeen to be worst hit by Brexit - report
Aberdeen is most likely to be the hardest hit in the case of either a hard or soft Brexit, according to a new report.
Housing company saves council £2.5m in a year
Enfield LBC’s independent company that buys family homes to provide an alternative to costly nightly accommodation has saved the council about £2.5m in a year, new figures have revealed.
‘Look to regional places to strengthen local economies’
Regional cities must take the lead in rebalancing the London-centric investment market, a think-tank has said.