Infrastructure
Beware the ‘construction cartels’
Laurence Pritchard says the pressure to keep infrastructure projects moving when competition for construction contracts is fiercer can make councils a target for practices banned by the Competition and Markets Authority
Winners of £900m for shovel-ready schemes announced
Ministers have announced the 300 schemes that will receive a share of the £900m Getting Building Fund and confirmed £360m for mayoral combined authorities to fund homes on brownfield land.
Major projects must be more responsive to local need, MPs argue
Hundreds of billions of pounds spent on new infrastructure projects could be ‘squandered’ without better co-ordination of local projects, MPs have warned.
Delivering homes and communities fit for the future
Lessons from the pandemic have given councils ‘a once in a generation’ opportunity to reform outdated planning principles, say Adam Cunnington and Julian Lockwood.
Using collective intelligence to boost cycling and walking in cities
In the latest in an essay series on how the wisdom of citizens could help councils manage after COVID, Peter Baeck and Sophie Reynolds consider how to make cities better for cycling and walking.
‘Give places the funding to rebuild’
Nigel Riglar says we need to aim for more than a simple recovery, as our problems are too pressing, and councils must respond collectively to make the case for greater funding.
Bright future for the West Midlands
Growth in the West Midlands has been badly impacted by COVID-19, says Deborah Cadman – but she believes the region also has ‘one of the greatest potentials to recharge and grow in 2021’.
Building back greener growth needs a joint effort
It seems that even the business lobby is now on board with devolution, says Heather Jameson - and now 'we will need national, local and regional government working with the private sector to tackle the climate change and the economic crises ahead'.
Government warns queues could be new terror target
Queue-filled high streets could be a new target for marauding terrorists using a vehicle as a weapon, the Government has warned.
Supporting more democratic, responsive urban planning and design
In one of a series of essays on how the wisdom of citizens could support councils in managing cities after COVID-19, Peter Baeck and Sophie Reynolds look at the urban planning and design process - and share inspiring examples from across the world.
Boris sets off on the COVID comeback trail
Boris Johnson’s speech in Dudley was ‘a mastery of political tub-thumpery’, says Heather Jameson. ‘But beyond the soundbites, much of the PM’s speech was a rehash of manifesto commitments and pre-announced cash.'
We need a bold move to a flexible zoning system
Analyst at Centre for Cities Anthony Breach makes the case for a flexible zoning system. It would give the public a greater say, with the drafting of a local plan becoming ‘even more important’, he argues.
Johnson launches planning reforms to help 'build, build, build'
Boris Johnson is expected to bring forward £5bn of investment in hospitals, roads and schools later today.
Johnson pledges £5bn ‘new deal’ on capital projects
Boris Johnson is expected to bring forward £5bn of investment in hospitals, roads and schools later today.
Ministers urged to invest in West Midlands
Ministers have been urged to inject £3.2bn over the next three years into the West Midlands economy to offset the impact of the pandemic.
Former Chancellor calls for infrastructure devo deal
Former Labour Chancellor Alistair Darling has called for all infrastructure projects below £500m to be managed by local or combined authorities.
Five compelling reasons why HS2East must be given same priority as HS2West
It is vital that the Government’s Integrated Rail Plan for the Midlands and the North states categorically that HS2 east will be built concurrently with HS2 west, argues Cllr Judith Blake.
Infrastructure could be left in a worse condition when PFI ends, watchdog warns
Many local authorities have underestimated the time, resources and complexity involved in managing the end of PFI (Private Finance Initiative) contracts, the public spending watchdog has warned today.
Protecting our social infrastructure
The needs of community infrastructure are as deserving of funding as the multi-billions being allocated in capital funding to our big state growth schemes, says Localis chief executive, Jonathan Werran.
The pandemic is yet another pressure on housing for councils to bear
CIPFA’s new and extensive suite of data Housing 360 shows the strain on housing resources alone was already close to breaking point before the pandemic hit. Dave Ayre explains.
