Regeneration
The risks of Sunak’s freeports
The freeports policy is poised to be a main plank of the levelling up agenda. But there are concerns they could become hotspots for organised crime and money laundering – risks that could lead to significant extra burdens for councils. Paul Marinko reports.
Surfeit of grant pots makes a pot noodle for councils
If questions about the way the Levelling Up Fund and the Towns Fund are targeted dulls ministers’ appetites for more pots then they could always consider rolling them up into one fund and calling it, say, revenue support grant, says Michael Burton.
Levelling up fund faces legal challenge
The Government could face legal action over its ‘troublingly opaque’ allocation of the Levelling Up Fund.
Liverpool looks to the future
Chief executive of Liverpool City Council Tony Reeves talks to Heather Jameson about the damning Caller report that followed the arrest of former Mayor Joe Anderson, and insists the council is addressing its weaknesses.
Jenrick steps in at 'dysfunctional' Liverpool
Commissioners will be sent in to Liverpool City Council after an independent inquiry found serious mismanagement and a dysfunctional culture, communities secretary Robert Jenrick has told Parliament.
Sunderland’s big, bold, brave plan
Sunderland City Council is spearheading the vision for a new urban quarter that includes 1,000 homes, offices and a public sector hub – creating jobs and re-energising the city centre, says Patrick Melia.
A locally-led revolution
The Teesside Freeport will be Britain’s biggest, and the policy could be the ‘great locally-led revolution of 21st century Britain’, argues mayor of the Tees Valley Ben Houchen.
Stronger, greener and fairer
Mark Bousfield explains how creative investment – both big and small – has paved the way to an exciting future for the Liverpool city region.
Cost-benefit analyses: Making the most of Government’s ‘Levelling Up’ fund
Mark Matthews looks at how cost-benefit analyses can improve local authorities’ chances of success in making a successful bid to the Levelling Up Fund.
Still devoted to devolution
Lord Heseltine has devoted most of his distinguished career to regional growth and is one of the biggest advocates for metro mayors. But he believes that the ‘whole momentum has gone out of the devolution agenda’. Ann McGauran reports.
Lord Heseltine calls for a cross-government approach to regeneration
Lord Heseltine has put the case for a senior cross-departmental Cabinet minister and committee to lead on regeneration, 'mirrored in the big regional centres'.
Counties scale up to the challenges
Counties’ ability to blend both a central and local focus means they should be further empowered to lead on transforming local economies after the pandemic, argues Cllr Barry Lewis.
Town recovery the tailored way
The pandemic has made delivering strong, more inclusive and resilient towns crucial, argues Katie Hickman. Here, she outlines the two key elements that will ensure the success of the £3.6bn Towns Fund programme.
Making things better
If we had more time to step back and think, and less pressure, what would we be building and how would it be better? Professor Donna Hall asks the question.
Back to the future for Big Bang of the North
A new study on levelling up the North sounds like a return to urban development corporations, says Michael Burton.
Uncertain future for New Homes Bonus
Raising the baseline and withholding payments for councils without local plans are among a range of options in the Government’s consultation on the New Homes Bonus.
Experienced drivers wanted
Let our localities choose which local delivery vehicles should drive growth and recovery from government’s post-Brexit cash pots, writes Localis chief executive, Jonathan Werran.
A partnership of place pioneers will reinvent our local towns and cities
We have a window of opportunity to create a new place legacy, but it requires a collaborative, longer term and fairer funding commitment to our towns and cities, says Karen Whelan.
Ambitions for Glasgow City Region undimmed by COVID
COVID may have brought delays to Glasgow’s £1bn City Deal infrastructure programme, but the region remains committed to all 21 projects, says Kevin Rush.
Significant funding is critical to delivering Yarmouth's plans for transformative change
Great Yarmouth secured a provisional offer of £13.7m investment from the Future High Streets Fund towards its vision to transform and revive the town centre, says Sheila Oxtoby. A Town Deal bid has also been submitted.
