Business
Councils persist with PFI despite Government doubts
The future of Private Finance Initiative (PFI) projects has been called into doubt with the publication of a damning report.
LGA research 'debunks' inefficient services myth
Wildly different spending levels in children’s services owe more to local demographic factors than to inefficiency or political decision, an independent report for the Local Government Association (LGA) has revealed today.
Audit verdict on broadband venture
Auditors have handed Aylesbury Vale DC 22 recommendations to improve its commercial projects after the sale of its broadband company.
Growth plans for Norse
Norse Group has laid out ambitious growth plans that could lead to it hitting £0.5bn turnover.
Amey hit by £50m compensation bill - reports
Amey has been ordered to pay Birmingham City Council more than £50m in compensation after the contractor lost a long-running court battle, according to reports.
Mayors renew skills call
England’s directly-elected regional mayors today renewed their call on the Government for greater devolution of powers and funding over skills.
LGA call amid appeals backlog
More than 133,000 firms are still awaiting appeals of their business rates valuation from 2010 to be resolved, council leaders have revealed.
Grenfell council leader pays tribute
Kensington & Chelsea RLBC’s leader has praised the families affected and paid tribute to those who died a year on from the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
CIPFA hits back at Tesco rates attack
Finance directors have hit back at criticisms made by big companies that business rates are causing the collapse of retailers on the high street.
LGA in Right to Buy warning
Councils’ ability to replace homes sold under Right to Buy (RTB) will be effectively eliminated within five years, a new study for the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.
Voter ID trial could have been illegal, according to barristers
The Government trial of checking voter ID in May’s local elections may have been illegal, barristers have argued.
Manchester City Council signs energy deal
Manchester City Council has signed a one-year contract estimated at £3.6m with Gazprom to supply its energy.
Carillion will cost taxpayer £148m, says NAO
The liquidation of Carillion will cost UK taxpayers an estimated £148m, the National Audit Office (NAO) has said, excluding around £2.6bn pension liabilities and losses by the firm’s non-government creditors.
It’s not about the money, money, money
Nick Cole explores the role of reward in recruitment and retention in a ‘candidate-driven’ market.
Manufacturing park to create 7k jobs and draw £400m investment
An ambitious project to create thousands of jobs and generate hundreds of millions of pounds of investment has been given the green light.
Council awards £20m waste contract
A £20m contract has been signed by FCC Environment to provide waste services to East Northamptonshire DC.
Planning Bill progresses despite opposition
Scottish opposition parties have called for changes after expressing concerns about the Government’s proposed Planning Bill.
Capita commits to sector at crunch meeting
Capita’s new chief executive Jonathan Lewis has met with a number of local government clients to detail his vision for the company.
Bailey to oversee management review at North Somerset
An ex-chief executive of Islington LBC, Local Partnerships and consultancy iMPOWER has been appointed interim boss and head of paid service at North Somerset Council.
Auditor attacks Northamptonshire reporting
Financial reporting at Northamptonshire CC was too ‘vague’ and lacked crucial detail prior to the county’s Section 114 notice, a new audit report has revealed.