Infrastructure
Plugging the net zero funding gap
The UK Climate Change Investment Commission is developing a radical place-based offer to private finance, says Alison Griffin - and it estimates in the core cities and London boroughs alone there is potential for up to £500m worth of investment.
Improving flood resilience together
Giles Stevens says the National Infrastructure Commission is awaiting details of how the national indicators to monitor flooding trends being developed by the Government will work in practice. Avoiding the challenges is not an option, he adds.
Michael Gove sets out his stall for levelling up
Michael Burton says the vision levelling up secretary Michael Gove touched on for the policy at the Conservative Party Conference implies the need for more resources if necessary - 'which may not please the chancellor'.
Councils need funding certainty
London’s local services face pressures of up to £2bn over the Spending Review period, says Cllr Darren Rodwell. The chancellor must empower councils to tackle the most momentous challenges we face today, he argues.
Future Forum: Reeves lays into levelling up
Coventry City Council’s chief executive Martin Reeves has launched a stinging attack on the rhetoric surrounding the levelling up agenda.
Penna view: The demand for levelling up talent is rising
As the focus on levelling up in amplified, Pete John says the demand to fill regeneration and place roles is high.
Government advisers press for funding overhaul
The body charged with advising ministers on infrastructure has said competitive funding pots should be replaced.
Streamlining funding – the common sense approach
Streamlining the current host of funding streams into just two would be a more sensible way of levelling up transport investment across towns, says Bridget Rosewell.
Here we go again on planning
Will the imminent Government planning proposals be the reforms that end all reforms, asks Steve Quartermain.
Levelling up too focused on infrastructure, claims report
Ministers’ ‘levelling up’ agenda is too focused on new infrastructure projects at the expense of improving key public services, councils representing English towns and cities have warned.
Council leader warns of 'serious risks' over local plan withdrawal
Rutland CC’s decision to withdraw its local plan leaves it facing ‘serious risks,’ the authority’s own leader has warned.
Levelling up is taking shape
A White Paper aimed at boosting local recoveries is expected later this year. Three strategic economic opportunities in the East Midlands represent what levelling up and building back better are all about, says Richard Carr.
Levelling up should focus on wellbeing, says report
The levelling up agenda should focus on improving economic and social wellbeing rather than infrastructure according to new research from the UK Prosperity Index 2021.
We need the tools to make land owners and developers build
The Government should bring forward the Planning Bill in draft form so it is subject to pre-legislative scrutiny, according to chair of the Local Government Association Cllr James Jamieson.
UK should emulate Biden - Marmot
Public health expert Sir Michael Marmot has urged the Government to follow the lead of US President Joe Biden to level up the UK.
Transforming Glasgow into a world-class smart city
Cllr Angus Millar explains how a new single-supplier contract for a full fibre network marks a huge step forward in delivering significant benefits to Glasgow – giving the council cutting-edge technological capability.
County poised to reject £15m grant
Senior Leicestershire CC councillors are poised to turn down £15m of Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) cash because the project represents ‘too great a financial risk’.
'Project speed' gains pace in Cornwall
As part of ‘project speed’, Cornwall Council is reviewing its capital and investment project process to ensure each part is as efficient as it can be without losing the integrity of a sound, value for money decision, says Tracie Langley.
Planning centre of excellence proposed
The recommendation is part of proposals to improve the planning process in a report by infrastructure project consultancy Nichols.
County leader in planning power grab
A council leader has called for counties to be given planning powers for ‘big infrastructure’ as he seeks to break the deadlock with a district.
