Investment
Sharpening the commercial edge
The case for well-managed council commercial activity is one that needs to be defended if we want a mature and sustainable local state, argues Jonathan Werran.
'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.
Strathclyde in divestment threat
Scotland’s largest local government pension fund will drop investments in fossil fuel firms that fail to act on the climate emergency.
Wolverhampton's i9 selected to house MHCLG's Midlands base
Two floors of Wolverhampton’s new i9 office building will be home to the first ministerial department outside of London, it has been announced.
Pension funds urged to play levelling up role
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) funds could provide a £16bn boost to levelling up the country, according to a new report.
Devolution White Paper to be replaced by levelling up proposals
A levelling up White Paper will replace the long-awaited policy document on devolution and local recovery.
A blueprint for efficiency
The Government’s Construction Playbook was designed to streamline public sector procurement. Stephen Beechey says it has made waves in the industry, and here he outlines how it can help councils build back better.
Some Bold moves for Brum
Heather Jameson talks to Birmingham City Council leader Ian Ward about the search for a chief executive and his hopes for a bold recovery for Birmingham.
Meet the new breed of sustainable bonds
UK local authorities are well placed to access the capital markets through Envrionmental, Social and Governance bonds, and the range of projects they can fund is vast, says Christian Wall.
Ministers insist they did not interfere in fund prioritisation
Ministers have insisted they did not interfere in the prioritisation of places for two new funds.
BUDGET 2021: £1bn confirmed for town deals
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has confirmed more than £1bn will be made available for a further 45 town deals across England as part of efforts to tackle regional inequality.
BUDGET 2021: Chancellor confirms £4.8bn Levelling Up Fund
Rishi Sunak has confirmed that the first round of the £4.8bn Levelling Up Fund will be available to local areas to help tackle regional inequalities.
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.
