What it is: CB Richard Ellis has published a guide for public sector bodies on how to outsource their property services successfully.
When it came out: 1 November 2010
Why it is important: The government is considering setting targets for outsourcing of public sector services, while public sector bodies are looking to …

John Rowan & Partners head of affordable housing Mash Halai and A2Dominion regional development manager explain how to use renewable energy technology in affordable housing schemes:

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The Strata Tower in Elephant and Castle (pictured below) – which is the first building to ever include wind turbines as an integral part of …

I’m looking to develop land for affordable housing. What do I need to take into account in the planning process to make it attractive to a registered provider of affordable housing?
Mash Halai (left) and Gareth Turner respond:
With the interim publication of Boris Johnson’s London Housing Design Guide last month, the …

We are a public sector body looking to partner with a developer to deliver a regeneration project, but are concerned that they will be put off tendering due to the procurement process. How can we manage this situation to get the right partner on board?
Tim Johnson, head of development consulting, …

Registered Providers (RPs) are non-profit organisations that deliver, own and manage affordable housing across the UK. Increasingly, they are taking charge of private housing as well.
Unlike traditional developers, they take a long term approach to projects – not only developing them but also acting as future landlords. They can help …

Brian Thompson, director at Drivers Jonas Deloitte, answers frequently asked questions on good contract management and how it could help save you money:
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Contract management sounds dull but is it? No. It demands innovative thinking, aligning conflicting interests, an understanding of government policy in practice, changing the behaviours of colleagues and …

Simon Pugh-Jones, director, planning consultancy Barton Willmore explains how to implement the new Planning Policy Statement 5 on protecting the historic environment

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Heritage reforms are like buses. You wait and wait, then three new documents turn up at once.
They are, firstly, the government’s Statement on the Historic Environment for England. Second, …

I’m a council property manager. What can I learn about Total Place to help me save money?
Peter Parkes, head of property services at Worcestershire County Council, which undertook one of the pilot projects as part of the Total Place initiative responds:
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Our first task in the Total Place pilot scheme task was to …

On 25 March, the Treasury published its Total Place report on how public services can work together to save money.  Here is an A-Z of the report, which says sharing public property is high on its agenda:
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Aligning public spending: Co-ordinating public spending from different bodies would benefit regions — for …

What are Planning Performance Agreements, who should use them and why?
 
Simon Leask, head of the Advisory Team for Large Applications (ATLAS), part of the Homes and Communities Agency, responds:
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Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs) were formally introduced into the planning system in April 2008. Since becoming available, they have been strongly encouraged …