Business
Kier shares surge on trading update
Investors have issued a vote of confidence in Kier’s efforts to turn around the business with a jump in its share price.
Scottish councils sign £700m contract to ‘transform waste’
Five Scottish councils have signed a contract that will divert up to 190,000 tonnes of black bag waste from landfill.
Collaboration key to £104m development
Westminster City Council partnered with four private sector organisations to create the mixed-use development.
Cornwall awards waste contract after procurement delay
Cornwall Council has appointed Biffa to provide its waste collection service after scaling back its contract demands.
Lancashire first to borrow using municipal bonds agency
Local government’s dormant vehicle for lending councils cash was boosted today after announcing details of its first municipal bond with Lancashire CC.
'One-fifth of audit contracts should be put back out to tender'
The organisation responsible for appointing auditors should take away up to 20% of current contracts from existing suppliers and put them back out to tender, a top accountancy body has said.
Permitted development pressure on Government grows
Pressure is growing on the Government to conclude its review of homes built under controversial permitted development rights and scrap the rules.
Outsourcing boosts recycling rates - study
Outsourced waste collections are achieving higher recycling rates than in-house services, new research has suggested.
Harrogate hands Willmott Dixon £10m leisure build contract
Harrogate BC has awarded a £10m contract to Willmott Dixon to overhaul a leisure centre in Ripon.
Pension funds pile pressure on Barclays over fossil fuel financing
Four pension funds will pile pressure on Barclays to phase out its financing of fossil fuel companies.
Council hires Grenfell construction firm
Maidstone BC has named a construction firm involved in the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower as its preferred bidder for a planned innovation centre.
LGSS Law losses hit £1.2m
A social enterprise law firm formed by three councils has reported that losses increased from £300,000 to £1.2m during the last financial year.
Westminster in phone box call
Westminster City Council has called on the Government to amend planning regulations to allow local authorities to force telecoms companies to remove under-used phone boxes.
NHS chief slams 'perverse' planning rules
The chief executive of the NHS has slammed ‘perverse’ planning rules making it easier for fast food outlets to open but placing restrictions on gyms.
Annual local government procurement tops £23bn
Local government procurement showed no signs of flagging in 2019 as spending increased.
YPO agrees £50m Findel purchase
The public sector procurement company has struck a deal to buy rival Findel Education.
Councils take direct control of failing housing services company
Four councils yesterday dismissed the board at a housing services company and took direct control of the organisation after problems with health and safety arose.
This will be a different Conservative Government
Head of local government at Grant Thornton UK, Paul Dossett, says the fact that the Conservative majority has been won by gaining seats in towns in Wales, the Midlands and the north of England will make a difference.
Four Seasons hands 44 care homes to rivals
The facilities will be transferred to Roseberry Care Centres, Belsize Healthcare and Harbour Healthcare under an agreement with one of its largest landlords.
EXCLUSIVE: Scores may have been incorrectly told they can vote
Councils have been urgently checking their electoral registers ahead of tomorrow’s General Election after being told to install a last-minute software release.