Investment
Council pension funds invest nearly £10bn in fossil fuels
Nearly £10bn of local government pension funds are still invested in fossil fuels, new research has found.
Back to the future for Big Bang of the North
A new study on levelling up the North sounds like a return to urban development corporations, says Michael Burton.
Rural economic growth deal secured
A £70m rural economic growth deal has been agreed between the Scottish and UK governments and Argyll and Bute Council.
Subsidy Control – the new state aid
Councils still need to comply with new ‘Subsidy Control’ requirements, despite the end of state aid law in Great Britain. Paul McDermott, Victoria Thornton and Julian Jarrett explain how to navigate the new landscape.
Extra scrutiny for council companies
Senior councillors will receive a confidential quarterly report on the performance of all Warrington Council companies after two external reviews into the authority’s commercial approach.
The success of local authority companies relies on effective governance
Council-owned companies have a valuable role in local government, but clarity over their purpose and governance is vital argues John Copps.
Sunak unveils a Spending Review for jobs, public services and infrastructure
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has unveiled a £4bn levelling up fund as part of a Spending Review which he claimed offered ‘huge investment’ in jobs, public services and infrastructure.
HOUSING: Investing in a not so risky business
With the recent scrutiny over Spelthorne BC’s investment decisions, James Duncan suggests it makes sense to consider other funding mechanisms for housing developments.
Sunak's cash pledge to head off revolt
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has pledged extra cash in a bid to head off a revolt by a new northern group of Conservative MPs.
Council raises £1m through UK's first local government green bond
The UK's first local government green bond has reached its target of raising £1m for West Berkshire Council five days early.
LEPs promise £100bn return on investment
Local enterprise partnerships (LEP) can secure a return on investment of £100bn in additional economic benefit, the Government has been told.
Government intervention threat over code flouters
The Government has warned councils could be subject to statutory intervention if they continue to ignore the prudential framework.
Borrowing to benefit the environment
West Berkshire Council has launched the UK’s first Community Municipal Investment, enabling access to cheaper borrowing rates for environmentally focused projects. Joseph Holmes explains.
Mind the gap in Scotland
The latest figures show Scotland’s deficit between income and spending compared to the deficit for the whole of the UK has widened. Michael Burton delves into the statistics.
Council leaders welcome £12bn affordable housing fund
Local authority leaders have welcomed the Government’s affordable housing funding announcement, but called for more powers to deliver social homes in their areas.
Local authority pension fund invests £150m in rental housing
An investment manager for local authority pension funds has invested £150m in private rental housing provider Get Living.
Reckless councils are the exception, not the rule
Government should come down hard on financially reckless local authorities who lack good governance, says Cllr Chris Criscione – ‘but without ruining it for others who just want to build a better council for their residents’
Our plan to aid economic recovery by reimagining Waltham Forest’s future
Martin Esom says Waltham Forest’s Economic Recovery Action Plan is built around three key phases – and the ambitious plans for housing will not fall by the wayside.
It's time for a serious, adult conversation on future funding
While the Government is right to caution against councils overexposing themselves on commercial investments, it needs to recognise its own role in creating this situation, according to Claire Kober.
Call for exercise boom to continue
Paralympian champion Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has made a rallying call for the exercise boom to continue after lockdown.
