What it is: The Institute of Directors has published a report on the amount of money wasted by the public sector on the £220bn of services it procures annually.
When it came out: 19 March 2010
Why it is important: The IoD says the public sector could save £25bn a year within three years if it managed its procurement and outsourcing better. In this report it also sets out the way it thinks it could do this, including more collaborative procurement and a new procurement agency led by the Office of Government …

What it is: The Office of Government Commerce has published its second report analysing the size of the central government estate, State of the Estate 2009.
When it came out: 18 March 2010
Why it is important: The report shows that the civil service estate was reduced in size by 5.8% in 2009. It forms part of the government’s ongoing drive to rationalise its civil service estate through better space management, such as sharing offices. The report identifies several areas where work was still needed, however, such as energy efficiency.
To read the …

What it is: Government department Communities and Local Government has published a draft of three Planning Policy Statements, which it says will act as a “green planning rulebook”.
When it came out: 9 March 2010
Why it is important: The three draft PPSs are on climate change (Planning for a Low Carbon Future in a Changing Climate), coastal change (Development and Coastal Change) and the natural environment (Planning for a Natural and Healthy Environment). They are intended to put sustainability in the forefront of planners’ minds when they are making planning decisions, …

What it is: GVA Grimley has launched a report Cutting Costs Not Corners on how public sector bodies can save money by rationalising their estates.
When it came out: 5 March 2010
Why it is important: The report sets out the challenges for public sector bodies managing their properties in the face of public sector spending cuts. It also makes recommendations for making those savings including more outsourcing, and more sale and leasebacks.
To read the full report click here: Cutting Costs Not Corners

What it is: The government has published Putting the Frontline First – Meeting The Local Government Challenge to identify ways for local authorities to save money.
When it came out: 1 March 2010
Why it is important: The report proposes that local councils save money by sharing properties, sharing senior staff members, and changing the way services are delivered in council properties. Efficiency savings such as this are seen as key for the government to fix a budget deficit expected to be £178bn in the 2010/11 financial year.
To read the full report …

What it is: The Greater London Authority has published its London Housing Strategy. The strategy, part of the London Plan, is the capital’s first statutory plan for housing.
When it came out: 27 February 2010
Why it is important: The strategy sets out the GLA’s plans for housing delivery in the capital. It includes a relaxation of the policy of having 50% affordable housing in all new housing schemes.
To read the full strategy click here: London Housing Strategy Feb 2010

What it is: The National Audit Office has published its latest report Preparations for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, about funding for the upcoming Olympics.
When it came out: 26 February 2010
Why it is important: The NAO says the government needs to replenish its contingency fund after taking £621m to fund the Olympic Village and Media Centre developments. It says that, while the project is currently on time and on budget, the contingency fund is needed to protect taxpayers from unexpected financial hurdles.
To read the full report click here: NAO report …

What it is: Cushman & Wakefield has reported on the cost of offices in UK cities compared to London.
When it came out: 24 February 2010.
Why it is important: It shows that relocating to regional UK cities from London could save corporate occupiers money. In Edinburgh, the most expensive regional city, the cost of office space was still one third cheaper than London. Councils could use this information to support arguments about why corporate occupiers should relocate to their cities.
To read the full report click here: Cushman and Wakefield report on …

What it is: The All Party Urban Development Group (APUDG) has published its report on what it sees as the priorities for the government after the general election if it wants to encourage regeneration.
When it came out: 24 February 2010
Why it is important: The report sets out its preferred policies in areas including investment, business rates, planning and housing supply.
To read the full report click here: All Party Urban Development Group – 24 Feb 2010

What it is: The Conservative Party has launched a ‘green paper’ of changes it would make to the planning system if it wins power at the 2010 general election.
When it came out: 22 February 2010
Why it is important: The Conservatives plan some major changes to the planning system including giving local residents more powers over planning policy in their area, abolishing the Infrastructure Planning Commission, and introducing third party rights of appeal.
To read the full document click here: Open Source Planning green paper