In the world of local government project appraisal, few events cause as much stir in town halls as a Spending Review coinciding with a Green Book consultation. For those of us immersed in capital programmes, economic development strategies, and the nuances of business case preparation, this ‘double-header' was our version of a solar eclipse.

 For the uninitiated, the Green Book is HM Treasury's flagship guidance for appraising public spending proposals. It sets out how to assess value for money through cost-benefit analysis and underpins most business case development across local and central government. For councils seeking investment in regeneration, and place-based growth, understanding the Green Book is essential.