Business
Firms hired for transformation help
Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council has appointed KPMG and Agilisys as its strategic implementation partners to support delivery of its transformation programme.
Police investigate children's homes after suspensions
Police are investigating the closure of two Doncaster-based children’s homes suspended by Ofsted amid safeguarding concerns, The MJ has learned.
Pre-paid card firms supplying councils acted ‘as a cartel,’ regulator says
Three out of five firms that issue councils with pre-paid cards have admitted breaching competition rules and agreed to pay penalties totalling more than £32m.
Councils taking ‘too long’ to pay support grants to businesses
The Government has written to the leaders of 314 councils in England urging them to pay out grants money to businesses more quickly.
Risks with council-owned companies
A clear, systematic framework is needed that underpins arrangements for overseeing and engaging with their companies to ensure councils’ interests are safeguarded, says chief executive of Local Partnerships Sean Hanson.
Council concern over grant pressure
Councils have raised concerns with government that local authorities will have to demonstrate their efforts to spend a key business grant before getting more cash.
Future Forum North: Change to flexible working will be permanent, predicts recruiter
New senior council hires expect to work in the office for just two days a week, a senior recruitment consultant has suggested.
Fresh council warning over rates appeals
Councils have warned they could face financial collapse if potential cuts to business rates go ahead.
BUDGET 2021: Leeds named as site of new infrastructure bank
The new national infrastructure bank will be based in Leeds, chancellor Rishi Sunak revealed alongside other announcements badged under the Government’s levelling up agenda.
BUDGET 2021: New freeport sites confirmed
Chancellor Rishi Sunak closed his Budget speech today with a commitment to eight new freeport sites - international gateways that will enjoy a raft of tax breaks from later this year.
BUDGET 2021: Sunak vows to do 'whatever it takes' to help businesses
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has vowed to ‘do whatever it takes’ to support businesses as the country looks to a post-coronavirus future.
Northumberland 'concern' over company finances
Northumberland Council is looking to exert more control over its wholly-owned property firm after it posted losses of £30m.
Bright future for Britain’s Jurassic Coast
Dorset Council is leading a consortium of local, national and international partners delivering the £7m 5G RuralDorset project. Matt Prosser explains why the new unitary authority is involved, and outlines the potential benefits.
Grant fraud to soar
Grant fraud is expected to soar because of the amount of COVID-19 funding channelled through local government, according to the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).
Finance chiefs' rates warning
Potential cuts to the rateable values of business properties in light of COVID could have a ‘catastrophic’ impact on council budgets, London finance chiefs have warned.
EXCLUSIVE: Pressure mounts on Jenrick over audit
Whitehall officials are putting communities secretary Robert Jenrick under pressure to change course after he failed to implement a key recommendation of the Redmond Review, The MJ understands.
Bristol chooses Arcardis as new strategic partner
Bristol City Council has named Arcadis as its new strategic partner to help the delivery of new infrastructure, homes and regeneration.
Council business park remains offshore
Labour-run Warrington Council has still not decided whether to bring an out-of-town business park onshore more than three years after being accused of avoiding tax, The MJ can reveal.
Guidance to 'reduce burdens' in pandemic issued
Councils will be allowed to deprioritise some trading standards and health and safety work to focus on tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit disruption.
Councils told to return millions in business grants to Whitehall
Councils are being ordered to return millions of pounds in business grants to Whitehall even with firms shuttered in the middle of a national lockdown.
