Business
Government back to drawing board on Fair Deal
Whitehall remains committed to introducing the Fair Deal policy into the local government pension scheme (LGPS) despite ditching draft regulations.
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.
Fitzgerald loses court battle to review arrest
Liverpool City Council’s chief executive, Ged Fitzgerald, has lost a legal attempt to judicial review his arrest.
Chief sought answers from building society over fraud
Dundee City Council’s chief executive sought assurances over anti-money laundering practices from a major building society following a £1.1m fraud by a former staff member, it has emerged.
Chief executive confident in councils' contract management skills
Worcestershire CC’s new chief executive, Paul Robinson, has dismissed claims that local authorities do not have the skills to manage private finance initiative (PFI) contracts.
Union calls for more contracts scrutiny
The Government should extend the remit of the National Audit Office or create a new regulator to compile and evaluate all public sector contracts, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has urged.
Glasgow to decide over arms-length companies closure
Glasgow City Council will next week decide whether to shut two of its nine ALEO (Arm’s-Length External Organisation) companies, bringing their services and 6,500 workers back under direct control.
York terminates £9m Interserve contract
York City Council has terminated a £9m contract with Interserve to redevelop the historic Guildhall after it judged the firm’s cost estimates to be too high.
Council uses £3m package to save factory
Luton Council has paid out more than £3m as part of a package to keep car manufacturing in the town.
Edinburgh lashes out at partner managing schools
Edinburgh City Council’s chief executive has lashed out at a partner for failing to address safety concerns two years after schools in the city were gripped with fear about faulty construction.
PFM launches finance software in UK
Financial adviser PFM has announced the launch of its modelling and budgeting software, Whitebirch, in the UK.
Council in £60m deal with Norse
Daventry DC has struck a major £60m deal with outsourcing supplier Norse Commercial Services to create a joint services venture.
Sweeping changes at council company
Concerns over ‘financial irregularities’ have led Northumberland Council to make sweeping changes in its wholly-owned development company, Arch.
Amey starts on next phase of cycle project
Construction giant Amey has begun work on the second phase of a major cycle scheme project funded by Birmingham City Council.
Fitzgerald poised to leave Liverpool
Former Bradford City Council chief executive, Tony Reeves, has signed a three-month deal to provide further consultancy services to Liverpool City Council amid speculation that the Merseyside authority could part company with suspended boss Ged Fitzgerald.
Can the digital disrupters change the public sector?
Michael Burton is sceptical about a recent report proposing the 'biggest shake-up since the Beveridge report'.
Northants crisis could halt Oxfordshire reorganisation
Plans to reorganise local government in Oxfordshire may be stymied by communities secretary Sajid Javid’s intervention in neighbouring Northamptonshire, senior sources have claimed.
LGA seeks cash to defend legal claim
The Local Government Association (LGA) is seeking financial support from across the sector as it prepares for a legal fight with NHS trusts over rates relief.
Interserve agrees refinancing deal
Struggling infrastructure firm Interserve has reached a refinancing agreement with lenders, five months after it announced a massive profit warning.
Council company to take over children's services
Senior Worcestershire CC councillors are next week expected to approve the development of a wholly-owned council company to deliver children’s services.