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

Why good annual reporting matters

By Steven Corbishley | 19 March 2025

Steven Corbishley says high-quality financial reporting not only supports accountability, it builds trust, strengthens confidence among stakeholders and prom...

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

'Devil in the details' of welfare reform plans, says SIGOMA

By Ann McGauran | 19 March 2025

The ‘devil will be in the details’ of the Government’s proposed reforms to welfare, says the leader of a council network calling for regular deprivation-base...

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Southern power play

By Jonathan Werran | 19 March 2025

Jonathan Werran says the geographic and economic reality of a more prosperous and easily investable south, which guarantees a stronger return on capital, has...

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

LGR plans could pose social care threat

By Martin Ford | 19 March 2025

‘Seismic’ changes brought about by local government reorganisation could pose a threat to social care, sector figures warned this week.

Popular articles by Mark Whitehead