Author Profile

Laura Sharman

Articles by Laura Sharman

Right to Buy will 'grind to a halt' without reforms, councils warn

By Laura Sharman | 13 November 2017

Councils can only afford to replace a third of homes sold under Right to Buy, putting the future ...

Councils investing £16bn of pensions into fossil fuels

By Laura Sharman | 09 November 2017

More than £16bn of council pension funds have been invested into fossil fuel companies, new resea...

Council leaders welcome new cabinet secretary for local government

By Laura Sharman | 06 November 2017

Alun Davies has been appointed the new cabinet secretary for local government as part of a minist...

Pensions partnership launches fund

By Laura Sharman | 05 October 2017

A £1.3bn fund has been launched by Local Pensions Partnership (LPP) to offer investors ‘cost-effe...

Unitary councils have 'manifestly failed' on diversity

By Laura Sharman | 05 October 2017

Not a single chief executive officer at 50 unitary councils comes from a black, Asian or minority...

Warning for councils after wall collapse

By Laura Sharman | 03 October 2017

Local authorities have been warned they must not ‘contract out’ the safety of new public building...

Westminster considers mansion tax

By Laura Sharman | 02 October 2017

A voluntary ‘mansion tax’ on properties worth more than £10m is being considered by Westminster C...

Mayor intervenes as auditors probe LEP

By Laura Sharman | 29 September 2017

The Greater Cambridge and Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership (GCGPLEP) is causing ...

Accountants in pension law change call

By Laura Sharman | 26 September 2017

Charities should be allowed to exit the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) to stop them build...

Blackpool Airport back in council's control for £4m

By Laura Sharman | 19 September 2017

Blackpool Council has bought back Blackpool Airport (pictured) in a £4m deal.