Title

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Scrap proposed infrastructure levy, council leaders say

Council leaders and developers have written to local government secretary Michael Gove criticising the Government’s proposed infrastructure levy.

Council leaders and developers have written to local government secretary Michael Gove criticising the Government's proposed infrastructure levy.

They said the proposed reform, which would allow councils to impose a levy on developers based on the estimated final value of a scheme, could mean fewer affordable homes being built, and less money for roads, health centres and schools.

In the letter, the County Councils' Network, District Councils' Network (DCN) and 28 other organisations called instead for reform of the developer contributions system.

The DCN described the Government's existing plan as 'unworkable'.

It warned the levy, which is intended to increase the number of affordable houses built and the amount of infrastructure supplied for new developments, was likely to have the opposite effect and would 'heap financial risk on local government'.

DCN's Barry Wood said: 'While we support the principle of local planning authorities being allowed to borrow against the proceeds from the infrastructure levy what has been proposed would [place] significant financial risk on councils.'

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Councils key to New Towns success, say peers

By Martin Ford | 25 October 2025

Councils must have a key role to make a success of the New Towns programme, peers have urged.

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Unpicking the Spelthorne strategy

By Heather Jameson | 23 October 2025

As the decision on reorganisation in Surrey is delayed, Spelthorne BC chief executive Daniel Mouawad says forcing the sale of council assets at the wrong tim...

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Lancashire leaders call for delay to council shake-up

By William Eichler | 23 October 2025

Lancashire County Council has asked the Government to delay the county’s planned local government reorganisation, warning that rushing the process could put ...

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Levelling up leadership

By Pete John | 23 October 2025

Pete John delves into the new world of leading in a combined authority and offers some insight into how to make it work.

Popular articles by Mark Whitehead