Asset management
Council pension funds to 'double down' on corporate governance
Council pension fund investors have vowed to ‘double down’ on demanding the highest standards of corporate governance from boards despite the pressures caused by COVID-19.
Transparency tools made available to pension schemes
The first standalone system to provide information on costs from different investment managers to every local government pension scheme (LGPS) and pool has been made available.
New sustainable fund for pension pool
The London collective investment vehicle (LCIV) has launched a new fund that offers pool members the opportunity to exclude investments in fossil fuels, tobacco and weapons.
Pension partnership in asset manager threat
The £30bn Brunel Pension Partnership has launched a combative new climate policy that threatens to exclude asset managers if they fail to raise their game.
Council launches social impact investment fund
Councils will be able to invest in secured assets that deliver a competitive market return and social impact after Warrington Council helped launch a fund.
Provider chosen for transparency code
Technology provider Byhiras has been selected to develop a platform that will ensure asset managers comply with the local government pension scheme’s (LGPS) code of transparency.
Pension pool to smash Osborne target
A local government pension pool has announced plans to accumulate more than £30bn of assets by the end of 2021, beating the Government’s original expectation.
Sunderland plans HQ move to boost town centre
Plans to move Sunderland City Council’s civic offices in a bid to boost the town centre have been backed by the council’s cabinet.
Asset sales help to reduce frontline cuts
Frontline services would have faced further cuts if councils had not sold assets, the County Councils’ Network (CCN) has said.
Yotta to deliver asset management to Glasgow
Technology firm Yotta has won a seven-year contract with IT and business process service firm CGI to deliver asset management to Scotland’s largest local authority.
Council buys retail park for £53m
Croydon LBC has completed the £53m purchase of another freehold site in the borough to provide additional income for frontline services.
Income-generating investments announced by councils
Two more councils have announced income-generating investments as town halls seek the finances required to protect key services amid continued austerity.
Sustainable equity fund launched for London
The sector-led London Collective Investment Vehicle (LCIV) has today launched a £66m sustainable equity fund, with a further £180m injection expected.
Council flogs land to raise £1m
Swansea City & CC has sold a former school site, its old transport depot and two acres of land to raise more than £1m.
Creating conditions for empowered communities
Cllr Clare Coghill urges councils to think before they sell off old buildings or parks. There might be members of the community with the drive and vision to transform it.
What’s on the box?
Times are tight for local government and we all know selling off assets is a great way of getting quick cash.
Cash-strapped councils are in need of a lending hand
It is now more important than ever for councils to be given greater borrowing freedoms if they are to rescue their beleaguered budgets, writes Rob Whiteman.
London borough faces legal review of regeneration vehicle
Haringey LBC is facing a possible judicial review of its controversial decision to transfer £2bn in assets to a public-private regeneration vehicle.
Push to pool more assets could lead to LPP expansion
The Local Pensions Partnership (LPP) is open to expanding in order to pool more assets beyond the £14bn already committed, The MJ understands.
Tenants urge council to ditch partnership plan
Haringey LBC tenants have urged the authority to ditch its planned ‘hand over’ of £2bn in assets to a public-private partnership.
