Joint venture
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.
private sector view
People are being displaced from jobs in the private sector, says practice director executive recruitment at Penna Enterprise Charles Wilson, 'but there are also opportunities in the public sector in interesting and varied roles'.
Council services to move to joint venture
Derbyshire CC’s cleaning, caretaking and building design services will be transferred to joint venture companies run with Suffolk CC from next month.
Norwich to bring services back in-house
Norwich City Council has opted to set up a wholly-owned company when it brings its services back in-house from next year.
Ensuring a commercial hit
Heather Jameson examines the findings of a round table featuring local government lawyers hosted by The MJ and Penna.
Beyond the supply and demand equation
While we need to rapidly increase the supply of new homes, simply building more will not be enough; what we build, not just how much we build, matters, says Claire Kober.
Sutton set to take full ownership of outsourced education company
An independent report has found that the company had ‘moved away’ from the council’s ‘ambitions and values’.
There’s ‘no single perfect solution’ on 5G
A vibrant and competitive market for ultrafast and gigabit connectivity across the whole of the UK is a must for our future prosperity, says Stuart Murray, partner at UK law firm TLT.
LGA loans more cash to commercial arm
Smith Square lent its commercial arm £2m at the start of the year and last month provided further funding, it has emerged.
Isle of Wight looks for trading company partner
Norse is the hot favourite to partner Isle of Wight Council in launching a new trading company.
L&G invests £750m in 'desperately needed' affordable homes
Legal & General Affordable Homes has announced a £750m commitment to new affordable housing projects.
Barking and Dagenham to create 'London’s Hollywood'
Barking & Dagenham LBC is to press ahead with plans to build a film studios complex despite losing its preferred bidder.
Developers' results prompt cautious optimism
Cautious optimism has accompanied the publication of a string of financial results in the construction sector.
Derbyshire considers new joint ventures with Suffolk
Derbyshire CC is considering plans to launch two joint ventures with Suffolk CC.
£450m flagship regeneration project scrapped
Southampton City Council has terminated an agreement for a multi-million pound regeneration project.
Making the relationship work
Dean Wetteland, managing director of England's biggest local authority trading company Norse Group, advises on the steps councils thinking of entering the commercial world should consider.
Morgan Sindall seals £1bn venture with Brentwood
Brentwood BC has approved the formation of a £1bn joint venture with Morgan Sindall Investments.
Merging the best of both sectors to create new garden communities
Andy Jarrett explains how joint ventures and garden towns – including the Otterpool Park joint venture+ between Folkstone and Hythe DC and Cozumel Estates, for up to 10,000 homes – will help the Government achieve its housing target.
A shared passion for regeneration in Salford
Ten years ago, the English Cities Fund and Salford City Council submitted a plan for a scheme that would change the skyline of Salford, Greater Manchester and leave a vital legacy. Phil Mayall and Jim Taylor tell the story of the partnership.
When all the housing markets are broken
Eric Bohl argues that local government needs to campaign assertively on a range of housing issues in order to benefit from, take part in and shape the market, as well as deliver on local priorities.