Outsourcing
Birmingham seeks £85m interim highways contractor
Birmingham City Council’s highways PFI vehicle has launched a search for a subcontractor to operate and maintain the city’s roads for a 15-month period in a deal worth up to £85m.
Persimmon takes profits hit
Housebuilder Persimmon has announced a fall in profits as it attempts to salvage its reputation.
Making the relationship work
Dean Wetteland, managing director of England's biggest local authority trading company Norse Group, advises on the steps councils thinking of entering the commercial world should consider.
Is insourcing the default?
The system needs recalibrating so there is a level playing field, rather than a major bias towards outsourcing in local government, argues Dan Corry.
Mitie offloads catering business
Outsourcer Mitie has sold the catering and hospitality arm of its business in a deal worth up to £85m.
Redbridge goes it alone after parting with Amey
Redbridge LBC has ended a 12-year relationship with Amey to establish its own waste company.
Councils asked for verdict on Persimmon overhaul
Councils are among the 100,000 organisations approached to take part in an independent review into housebuilder Persimmon.
Acquisition delivers revenue boost for Mears
Mears’ acquisition of a rival social housing business has helped drive up its revenues so far this year.
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.
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.
Councils to buy waste facility after deal terminated
Two councils are negotiating to buy a waste treatment facility after a problematic deal collapsed.
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.
It’s up to councils to decide how they run their services
The old arguements about in-house or outsourced services have been reawakened by Labour's latest policy announcement but it should be a local decision, argues Michael Burton
Making the most of the Localism Act
Penna's Pete John looks at the skills local authorities need to ensure success with the rise of wholly-owned companies.
KPMG winner as big four take more public contracts
KPMG has emerged as the chief beneficiary of an increase in public sector spending with the big four accounting firms.
Labour proposes outsourcing reversal
Labour’s plans to reverse outsourcing of council services have drawn a mixed reaction from the sector.