Infrastructure
Autumn Statement: Councils to be able to recover planning costs
Councils will be able to recover the costs of business planning applications in return for being required to meet faster timelines, Chancellor says.
Levelling Up Fund allocated
The third round of the Levelling Up Fund has been awarded to unsuccessful bids from round two.
Climate change: combatting fatalism
Groundwork’s new strategy is one for a fair and green future in which people, places and nature thrive, says Graham Duxbury.
The next level begins
Last month saw the Levelling Up Act receive Royal Assent, but what will that actually mean for local authorities? Martin Ford takes a look.
Adapting to London’s changing climate challenge
London and its residents are already being impacted by climate change, says Cllr Kieron Williams. He shares some of the approaches being taken to ensure the city can continue to thrive.
Government advisers back fiscal devolution
Fiscal devolution should be ramped up to enable local authorities to develop transport networks, according to the Government’s independent advisers on infrastructure strategy.
Aiding Scotland’s journey towards sustainable transportation
Rory Alexander asks if the public sector can meet the demands of Scotland’s sustainable transportation strategy, and he looks at what the rest of the UK can learn.
Labour to tackle 'antiquated planning system'
Labour has pledged to overhaul the planning system in a bid to ease the progress of infrastructure projects.
White van man on... infrastructure
It’s just as well us Brits weren’t put in charge of building the pyramids.
Two answers to levelling up – but what’s the question?
Heather Jameson says set aside the anti-city, anti-local government rhetoric - Rishi Sunak's plan to put cash into small towns will make a difference to how people feel about their place.
People want, expect and deserve change
New research shows it’s clear that communities are still too painfully aware that our economy and democracy often do not work for them and their places, says Ryan Swift.
How rethinking energy can help keep swimming pools open
Swimming pools have come to symbolise the operational cost and carbon challenges faced by councils, but there are tangible solutions, argues Helena Rivers.
Councils to collaborate on funding bids
Four councils on the English and Welsh border have proposed a partnership to collaborate on future Government funding bids.
Keep it communal
Former levelling up secretary Greg Clark is wrong to advocate shifting planning from district to county councils, argues Cllr Barry Wood.
Going further and faster on pensions decarbonisation
Islington LBC began decarbonising its pension fund seven years ago and has reduced emissions by 40% in the last two years alone. Cllr Paul Convery says it’s a financially sound strategy.
Avoiding wheezes and whims
The Government is about to publish a revised version of the National Planning Policy Framework, but Greg Clark worries that policy will be hijacked by crude Westminster politics.
Forging consensus around tough transitions must be done locally
With the role of London's ULEZ in the Uxbridge by-election in the spotlight, Jessica Studdert says underfunded councils need 'skills and resource to enable more proactive engagement, deliberation and better forge consensus around trade-offs'.
Homes England new housing capacity drops nearly 80%
Potential new homes unlocked by the Government’s housing and regeneration agency plummeted by 79% in the last financial year.
Unpicking the Bill
The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill has completed its passage through the Lords but critics feel it lacks central coherence, may have lost its way and is not serious about levelling up. Martin Ford reports.
Government concessions over infrastructure levy
The Government has offered concessions on its planned infrastructure levy in the face of opposition from the House of Lords.
