The government has today published its draft Localism Bill that will bring forward huge changes to the UK planning system.
Communities secretary Eric Pickles said the new bill – which will be laid before Parliament later this afternoon – would return powers to local councils and communities. It includes measures to …

The government wants to keep its property vehicles in public ownership, Property Unit chief John McCready has told Public Property UK.
In an interview at the Public Property Summit this week, McCready said the vehicles in London and Bristol would need to be held by the public sector to help him …

Birmingham City Council has signed a five-year deal with Abu Dhabi in a bid to win more overseas investment for the West Midlands city.
Council leader Mike Whitby today announced that Birmingham has signed a memorandum of understanding with the government in Abu Dhabi (pictured). Under this agreement, the Abu Dhabi …

The government plans to create a centrally run property vehicle to own and manage its office estate in Bristol and London, with a view to seeking private partners and expanding its scope across the country.
PublicPropertyUK.com has learned that the project, due to be launched in April, transfers control of offices …

What it is: The Cabinet Office has published a list of almost 500 quangos it is either going to axe, merge or reform.
When it came out: 14 October 2010
Why it is important: The reform of quangos plays a significant part of the government’s plan to save money and improve government …

The government must fast-track the introduction of tax increment financing (TIF) to fund new developments, according to the chief executive of Birmingham City Council.
Speaking yesterday at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, Stephen Hughes said his city should be picked as a pilot area for the scheme, which was announced …

Communities secretary Eric Pickles has said sharing staff, including planners, and merging services between councils is the future of local government.
In a speech to the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham yesterday, Pickles said that local authorities teaming up over education and planning would mean “no duplication and more productivity”.
Despite slamming …

The government will extend its ban on new government leases until 2015 to try to save more than £250m in rent and running costs.
The Cabinet Office’s Efficiency and Reform Group is expected to announce the National Property Controls freeze in the comprehensive spending review on 20 October.
The ban was introduced …

David Lewis has left his position at Kent County Council as director of property, and has been replaced by Peter Binnie.
Binnie, who is head of operations, has been appointed as the interim director of property for the next six months, during which time a longer term appointment will be considered.
Lewis was tasked with …

Manchester City Council chief executive Sir Howard Bernstein has drawn up proposals for a local enterprise partnership in greater Manchester to take over powers from the NorthWest Development Agency.
The plan was completed on Friday and proposes giving the city region a single pot of government funding for economic development, housing, …