Public Sector : Local Authority News
Council and Changeworks insulate homes in Oxgangs

Council and Changeworks insulate homes in Oxgangs

In partnership with the leading environmental charity Changeworks, the City of Edinburgh Council is helping homeowners transform the energy efficiency of their homes. Making 166 homes in Oxgangs warmer and fit for the future by improving external wall insulation, more than 50 properties have already received major improvements with over

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Consultation launched for Gorton District Centre

Consultation launched for Gorton District Centre

A public consultation has launched over proposals outlining investment plans in and around Gorton District Centre. Manchester City Council has developed an initial strategy for the areas in Gorton and Belle Vue that highlights potential new public spaces, homes and employment opportunities. It is these early ideas that are open

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Pave Aways selected for Staffordshire History Centre

Pave Aways selected for Staffordshire History Centre

Pave Aways, a successful privately owned construction business with a dedicated team of construction professionals, has announced it is to start construction work on a new Staffordshire History Centre in January. The £5.4 million centre will be formed by extending the existing Staffordshire Record Office on Eastgate Street in Stafford

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YMCA Wimbledon Redevelopment Topping Out Ceremony

YMCA Wimbledon Redevelopment Topping Out Ceremony

Last week YMCA St Paul’s Group, Thornsett and Neilcott Construction marked a major milestone in the redevelopment of the YMCA Wimbledon – a new state-of-the-art building facing on to The Broadway, Wimbledon. This ceremony marks the topping out of the new YMCA Wimbledon building, an exciting development that, when complete,

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Momentous plans set to rejuvenate Skegness for generations to come

Momentous plans set to rejuvenate Skegness for generations to come

THE future transformation of Skegness has moved a crucial step closer today as plans are submitted to deliver a 136-hectare sustainable urban extension creating hundreds of homes, much-needed jobs for the local community – and an exciting new future for the town’s generations to come. The planned Skegness Gateway development

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Dewsbury Riverside Development takes positive steps forward

Dewsbury Riverside Development takes positive steps forward

The next phase for Kirklees Dewsbury Riverside Development has been approved at Strategic Planning Committee on 3 November, paving the way for Kirklees Council to carry out the next steps of the Local Plan allocation for housing development. Strategic Planning Committee granted planning permission based on full details of the

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Latest Issue
Issue 324 : Jan 2025

Public Sector : Local Authority News

Council and Changeworks insulate homes in Oxgangs

Council and Changeworks insulate homes in Oxgangs

In partnership with the leading environmental charity Changeworks, the City of Edinburgh Council is helping homeowners transform the energy efficiency of their homes. Making 166 homes in Oxgangs warmer and fit for the future by improving external wall insulation, more than 50 properties have already received major improvements with over a hundred others to be completed by the Spring. Funding is provided by the Scottish Government through the Energy Efficient Scotland; Area based Scheme (EES:ABS). These area-based schemes are designed and delivered by councils with local delivery partners. They target fuel-poor areas to provide energy efficiency measures to a large number of Scottish homes while delivering emission savings and helping to reduce fuel poverty. The schemes in Oxgangs are helping households make major improvements to their home at a significantly lowered cost. Some households even qualify to have the work done for free, completely removing the financial burden for households at a time when that relief could not be more needed. Installing insulation makes it cheaper and easier to heat the home, meaning householders can expect to save on their heating bills. Oxgangs is an area that does suffer from a higher rate of poverty than other areas of the city and all houses included in the project are in Council Tax bands A to C. This project, with a total funding of £1.9 million, is targeted at reaching those most in need. The EES:ABS scheme is open to private householders and mixed tenure blocks have been targeted too, benefitting both social housing tenants and private householders. The Council is directly funding the works to Council homes.  Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “Most of the homes in the area are receiving external wall insulation which means their homes will keep more heat in. This is important because it means more Oxgangs residents are going to see their homes stay warmer for longer, at a time when temperatures are low but energy bills are worryingly high. “As people become more conscious of their energy use, these projects will have a real impact – both on the planet and Edinburgh’s net zero goals and on the lives of homeowners and tenants who need this support now, more than ever.” One resident who received the external wall insulation is Catherine Murray, who says she’s “delighted” with the difference it’s made. She said: “My house is warmer, much warmer, it’s really noticeable. I don’t need the heating on as much, I put it on in the morning and then the house is fine until I put it on again at about 7 or 8 until I go to bed. If I’m in the living room, it contains the heat. “We’re on the main road and the people that pass stop and look, it’s amazing. People stop to comment on it. “It really brightens the place up, I don’t get out much anymore but when I do, it makes you feel better when you do come into the area, you can really see the difference between the ones that have been done and the ones that haven’t been done, it’s great. I really appreciate the work that’s been done.” Most of the homes in the area are receiving external wall insulation installed by contractor SERS. Not only does this mean that their homes will keep more heat in, keeping them warmer for longer and requiring less energy to heat, it provides a complete refresh of the outside of the property too. With it being an external insulation measure, there’s no work done inside the house. Alongside the Oxgangs project which is currently underway there are four other retrofit schemes in Edinburgh which form part of the EES:ABS 2022/23 programme. These include an external wall insulation and solar PV scheme in Gilmerton, a fabric improvement programme in Murrayburn and Drumbryden, a citywide internal wall insulation roll out and hard-to-treat cavity and solar PV works across the EH16 and EH17 postcode areas. To register your interest in similar schemes should they become available in your area, fill in this simple online form.

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Actis looks forward to ‘real life’ LABC technical seminar in St Albans

Actis looks forward to ‘real life’ LABC technical seminar in St Albans

The Actis specification team is looking forward to taking part in a face-to-face technical roadshow with LABC later this month – which will provide delegates with three and a half hours of CPD training. The event, aimed at builders, specifiers, building control officers and architects in the central region, takes place on Thursday January 26 at Redbourn Golf Club in St Albans, with doors opening at 8am and the event finishing at noon. Actis will present a mini version of its RIBA-approved CPD on changes to Part L, Tomorrow’s Insulation Solutions for Future Homes Standards, while other topics on offer include addressing warranty defects and modern solutions for old issues. The event is the latest of LABC’s monthly informative sessions, which are a mixture of face-to-face and virtual activities. This is the fifth year in a row in which Actis is working with LABC as a CPD partner. The free seminar will also see LABC looking at the latest building regulations news. The roadshows are aimed at helping other industry members gain greater insight into issues affecting the construction sector, with the Actis component focusing on thermal efficiency. Reserve your place here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Consultation launched for Gorton District Centre

Consultation launched for Gorton District Centre

A public consultation has launched over proposals outlining investment plans in and around Gorton District Centre. Manchester City Council has developed an initial strategy for the areas in Gorton and Belle Vue that highlights potential new public spaces, homes and employment opportunities. It is these early ideas that are open to consultation to gather vital feedback from the people who live, work and use the areas daily. “Gorton has seen some really exciting investment in recent years from the Belle Vue Sports Village, the recent opening of the Gorton Hub and the new Coop Academy school that will open soon. We have an opportunity to capitalise on this momentum and develop an ambitious plan for the local area – creating a district centre that can help the area to meet its potential,” said Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development. “This consultation gives local people a general flavour of the kind of investment we want to make in their community – but the feedback we get from local people will help us guide the development as plans progress. As ever, I would urge as many people as possible who live in, work at or shop in the district centre to give us your thoughts. As someone who uses the area daily your insight is invaluable.” What the proposals want to achieve: • Make the centre greener, including quality green space and tree planting Create a more attractive local area that is comfortable and attractive to spend time in • Support new events and activities to attract people to visit in the evenings and weekendsCreate a new heart of the community, delivering a new civic square and public realm • Deliver new mixed tenures homes to match local housing demand (including affordable housing such as Social Rent and Shared Ownership) • Make the centre more accessible by safe walking and cycling • Encourage a broader mix of uses that will attract different communities and age groups. There has been some high-quality investment in the Gorton neighbourhood in recent years and the intention is to ensure that the District Centre is a destination of choice for local people, which is also well-connected to the wider area. • Improve the transport links to fantastic community facilities, including Gorton Hub, Belle Vue Sports Village, Gorton Youth Zone, and the New Co-op Academy • Better walking and cycling routes to local green spaces, including Debdale Park, Gore Brook Valley and Fallowfield Loop. • Focusing on key locations for improvement that cover (from west to east) Belle Vue Station, Gorton Hub, Garratt Way (including market and former library), Wellington Street crossroad and Chapman Street crossroad • Particular focus on Garratt Way as the focal point for the district centre Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Bradford’s landmark One City Park office scheme lights up to mark topping out

Bradford’s landmark One City Park office scheme lights up to mark topping out

The project team behind One City Park – a state-of-the-art new office in Bradford – gathered on site to celebrate the building reaching its highest point and on track to complete in Summer 2023. The event had a festive twist with an official light switch on for a 15ft Christmas tree which now adorns the top of the steel frame to celebrate this major milestone. One City Park, which will create 56,403 sq ft of sustainable office space, is being brought forward by nationwide place maker, Muse, in partnership with Bradford Council. The building is being built by Caddick Construction, with the steel frame supplied and erected by Halifax-based Elland Steel. One City Park will combine high-quality specifications, flexible floor plates and strong sustainability credentials, offering businesses an opportunity to locate at the first new office space in city centre for 20 years. Simon Dew, development director at Muse, said: “The construction programme is being delivered at pace and to be on schedule is testament to the hard work everyone involved. At Muse, we create kinder and inclusive places in partnership that build brighter futures for everyone and our purpose remains the same here at One City Park. “Bradford is a diverse city full of potential and we want to attract the right businesses to One City Park and create a wealth of opportunities for the rich talent within the community. “We know that City Park is a popular place for gatherings and events throughout the holiday season and we wanted to play our part in the celebrations.” One City Park launched to market earlier this year, represented by commercial agents Knight Frank and Colliers. Once complete, the building will feature five floors of exceptional workspaces and a roof terrace, offering flexible floor plans that can adapt to accommodate more agile working practices that promote wellbeing. Designed to suit a range of businesses from home grown starts-up and SMEs, through to larger organisations and multi-nationals – there has been a high volume of enquiries from potential occupiers.  Jason Sims, Caddick senior project manager said: “We are delighted with the progress at One City Park to date and it’s always gratifying to see the steelwork completing and topped out as a visible milestone for the city centre. It’s a real boost for the site team but we are also getting positive comments from passers-by who see the progress made day-by-day because it’s such a central and significant development for Bradford.” The building will be complemented by new public spaces around the site including stepped access and attractive seating areas. Surrounded by cultural assets including the Grade I Listed City Hall, St George’s Hall and new music venue, Bradford Live, which is currently undergoing a multi-million-pound transformation, as well as bars, restaurants and cafes – City Park is expected to play a major role in the city’s UK City of Culture celebrations in 2025.   Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member of Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “One City Park is bringing hundreds of jobs to the city centre throughout its construction and once complete will bring hundreds more. It will be a great complement to the Darley Street Market which is also currently under construction.” One City Park will also feature a range of green design elements including high-performance glazing, photovoltaic panels and air source heat pumps to make sure the building operates on renewable energy. Every car-parking space features an electric car charging point, coupled with secure cycle storage and changing facilities to encourage workers to take more sustainable and healthier modes of transport. For further information visit www.onecitypark.com. Commercial enquiries to Eamon Fox at Knight Frank (Eamon.fox@knightfrank.com / 0113 297 2433) and Roddy Morrison at Colliers (roddy.morrison@colliers.com / 0113 200 1810).

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Pave Aways selected for Staffordshire History Centre

Pave Aways selected for Staffordshire History Centre

Pave Aways, a successful privately owned construction business with a dedicated team of construction professionals, has announced it is to start construction work on a new Staffordshire History Centre in January. The £5.4 million centre will be formed by extending the existing Staffordshire Record Office on Eastgate Street in Stafford to incorporate the William Salt Library. A modern glazed entrance will link both buildings, creating exhibition space to showcase museum, archive and library collections with additional strong rooms installed to build space for a further 55 years of collections. “We are very pleased to be working with the council to deliver this flagship building that will play an important role in the preservation and development of Staffordshire’s history. Having previously built a records and archives centre in Mid Wales, we are well placed to meet the stringent conditions that are required to house these historic collections. We can’t wait to get started,” said Managing Director of Pave Aways Steven Owen. The total cost of the project, which includes a four-year programme of activities, is £8,780,239. The project has been made possible thanks to a grant of £4,858,699 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Additional match funding of £3,921,540 was raised by the partnership, including Staffordshire County Council funding, grants, donations from local organisations and friends and in-kind contributions from volunteers. “We’re justifiably proud of our history and wonderful collections and we want to be able to share them and be able to protect them for future generations to enjoy. We’re all incredibly excited about the project and it’s great to have the start confirmed for the new year. Not only will the project give us a brand-new heritage attraction for the county but it will bring together three amazing collections from the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Archive Service, the County Museum and the William Salt Library,” added Victoria Wilson, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture at Staffordshire County Council. “In addition to the new centre, a dedicated programme of touring exhibitions will also help take the Staffordshire story out into local communities, helping to get more people interested in our fascinating history. We are grateful to National Lottery Players for making this funding possible,” she concluded. Image: PRS Architects Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Johnson Controls and Asset+ deliver a 50% reduction in public building carbon emissions for Hounslow Council

Johnson Controls and Asset+ deliver a 50% reduction in public building carbon emissions for Hounslow Council

Johnson Controls, the global leader for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, has partnered with Hounslow Council to decarbonise schools and public buildings. After acquiring Asset+ – a specialist provider of energy reduction and zero-carbon measures for the UK public sector – in May this year, Johnson Controls will help Hounslow Council deliver on the goals of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS). Before the project, schools in Hounslow were responsible for 67% of the Council’s carbon footprint across their estate. Legacy infrastructure and gas heating across schools and other public buildings would make it impossible to reach the Council’s net-zero goals by 2030. In 2020, after securing a £19 million grant from the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Asset+ began its project to decarbonise buildings and reduce energy consumption in schools and corporate buildings across Hounslow. The scheme was rolled out to 61 properties, including schools and corporate buildings, switching from gas boilers to air source heat pumps, installing solar panels and implementing LED transformation. The technology has been installed at schools such as Heathland School and Rosary School, as well as in leisure centres in Brentford and Isleworth.  As a result of the project, carbon emissions across Hounslow’s schools and public buildings dropped by 50%. This reduction in energy use translated to a 50% reduction in cost, with on-site energy production and the use of LEDs able to offset the increase in electricity use. To date, Hounslow saved over 17 million kWh per energy across its corporate and school sites, equating to over 3,000 tonnes of carbon.  In addition to helping councils work towards net-zero goals, the scheme works with the local community to provide permanent jobs for local residents and protect public sector organisations from the drastic increase in utility bills. The decarbonisation scheme is delivered on top of an award-winning partnership between Asset+ and Hounslow Council. “Partnering with Asset+, and later Johnson Controls, has brought benefits to our entire public estate,” said Charles Pipe, Energy Manager at Hounslow Council. “With schools representing over two-thirds of our estate’s carbon emissions, cutting these by 50% is a huge step towards our net-zero goals. The electrification of our buildings sets a great example for our local area and we look forward to working together closely until we complete the project.” David Lloyd, Head of Connected Energy Performance UK&I at Johnson Controls commented: “In a sector where every penny counts, supporting energy and cost savings for councils is vital. Squeezed by ever-increasing fuel bills and the rising cost of living, being able to offer a reduction in energy consumption and costs can be a lifeline for councils. Through the use of our technology, we will also continue to educate and inspire the next generation of Hounslow citizens on the importance of protecting our environment. We look forward to moving onto the next phase with Hounslow Council and working with more London boroughs to help them achieve their net-zero goals.” To learn more, visit www.johnsoncontrols.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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YMCA Wimbledon Redevelopment Topping Out Ceremony

YMCA Wimbledon Redevelopment Topping Out Ceremony

Last week YMCA St Paul’s Group, Thornsett and Neilcott Construction marked a major milestone in the redevelopment of the YMCA Wimbledon – a new state-of-the-art building facing on to The Broadway, Wimbledon. This ceremony marks the topping out of the new YMCA Wimbledon building, an exciting development that, when complete, will also provide 135 new homes and two ground floor commercial units. The project partners were joined for the ceremony by the Mayor of Merton, Councillor Joan Henry, the Deputy Mayor of Merton, Councillor Agatha Akyigyina OBE, the Deputy Leader of Merton Council Councillor Eleanor Stringer, and local ward representative Councillor Paul Kohler. The new YMCA Wimbledon building will provide a modern living space for residents including 121 hostel rooms with en-suite bathrooms and cooking facilities. This represents Phase 1 of the redevelopment of the current YMCA site. Residents and the wider community will be able to access enhanced facilities which include a gym, studio space, a children’s play area and new YMCA café. The new facilities are expected to open for use in Summer 2023. This new setting will enhance the quality of service and support that YMCA St Paul’s Group is able to offer to residents and represents a new chapter in the organisation’s work in Merton, which has been ongoing for almost 150 years. To progress the redevelopment of the site, YMCA St Paul’s Group partnered with specialist developer Thornsett and Neilcott Construction. Richard James, CEO of YMCA St Paul’s Group, said: “It’s brilliant to see the new YMCA Wimbledon building take shape – we’re over the moon to have reached this crucial milestone in the project. Meeting the needs of our residents and local community is vital and so we’re delighted to be another step closer to the opening. “We’re thankful to Neilcott, Thornsett, DLA, Merton Council, the Mayor of London and the local community for making this a reality and for their ongoing dedication and support of the project.  Myself and the whole YMCA Wimbledon team are very much looking forward to welcoming our residents and the community into the building when it’s completed in 2023.” Gerard Cunningham, Executive Chairman of Thornsett said: “We are delighted to have reached this important milestone. We have worked closely with YMCA St Paul’s Group, Neilcott, Merton Council and the local community to reach this point. These new facilities will serve the community well into the future and further the YMCA’s crucial work.” “We look forward to marking the full completion and opening of the new YMCA building next year. We will then start work on the next phase, which will provide much-needed business space and homes for first-time buyers.” Phase 2 of the project will begin once installation and occupation of the new YMCA Building is complete. This will involve the demolition of the former YMCA building and its replacement with new homes and business units. This work is expected to take a further two years to complete. Merton Council’s Planning Committee resolved to grant consent for the redevelopment in December 2020. Since then, the project has progressed to schedule with all work on site due to be complete by early 2026. The work on site has been accompanied by a Construction Working Group that has provided a forum for local residents and businesses to receive updates and bring matters to the development team’s attention. The Working Group will continue to meet during the fit out of the new building and the next phase of works.   As part of the community effort, four of the current residents at the YMCA are working with Neilcott on site and are playing a vital role as the scheme progresses Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Momentous plans set to rejuvenate Skegness for generations to come

Momentous plans set to rejuvenate Skegness for generations to come

THE future transformation of Skegness has moved a crucial step closer today as plans are submitted to deliver a 136-hectare sustainable urban extension creating hundreds of homes, much-needed jobs for the local community – and an exciting new future for the town’s generations to come. The planned Skegness Gateway development to the west of the town will provide more than 20 hectares of combined retail, business and industrial space. It also will provide 1,000 new homes – including specialist housing, hundreds of jobs, much-needed open space and recreational amenities and a college and learning campus with space for business startups. East Lindsey District Council will soon consult on a draft Local Development Order (LDO) allowing the opportunity for the public and other stakeholders to comment on the proposals. The Skegness Gateway, on land principally owned by local family business Croftmarsh, with additional areas owned by the Scarbrough family, is set to breathe new life into an area of the Lincolnshire coast that drastically needs change in order to secure its future, boosting the local economy and providing the education and jobs for local people that will encourage them to stay in the area. Croftmarsh says that the project is vital for the future-proofing of Skegness, helping it to take its rightful place in the East Midlands as a place of opportunity and ambition. The scheme will also boost social value for local people – both existing and new residents. Sue Bowser, of Croftmarsh, said: “We are pleased to support the council in its vision to bring these ambitious plans to reality. This LDO submission is a really significant step. Our family has lived and worked in Skegness for many generations, so it’s a great source of pride that we can support a development that will help secure the town’s future by creating thousands of jobs and homes for both existing local residents and attract a new generation of people to the area. “We are working closely with East Lindsey District Council and other partners to bring forward a scheme that will work alongside the regeneration being enabled by the Towns Fund.” Once complete, the sustainable urban extension will help establish the town as a hub for investment, opportunity and ambition, as well as creating a new sustainable community that blends high-quality new homes with plentiful green space. Sue added: “We know that Skegness is a town that needs economic transformation. The mechanism for that is through urban regeneration and expansion of skills, training and education – all secured by investment and infrastructure and digital connectivity. “Ours is a town in real need. There isn’t enough money in the town to pay for this all year round and the secret to this is to have more people living here. We need to create jobs. We need to build infrastructure and provide the significant benefits that government is seeking in places such as Skegness. “We want to enable the delivery of hundreds of new homes not just for the people who live in the local area – but for those people we want to attract to come and live and work in Skegness. This scheme will transform the area, putting it on the map and making the town famous not just for its beaches, but for its enterprise.” The aspirations for the Skegness Gateway have been showcased to the local public and stakeholders through engagement events and were well received as a catalyst for economic growth and wider regeneration. Matt Warman, MP for Boston and Skegness said: “This local sustainable development includes a state of the art learning campus funded through the Skegness Town Deal, providing new training opportunities for the coast. Importantly, training including digital skills, motor vehicle, construction and engineering, will allow people to gain the skills and knowledge they need to get the jobs they want. “Removing barriers to learning is a key focus for the Towns Fund and I’m delighted that this funding from Government will be helping to deliver these local opportunities.” The Sanderson family – which owns the majority of the land set for development – has lived and worked in the Skegness area for seven generations and has long been passionate about securing the town’s future by providing jobs, skills and opportunities. Neil Sanderson, also of Croftmarsh and Sue’s brother, said: “Skegness Gateway really is close to our hearts and homes, and making sure it becomes the reality that puts our town firmly on the map is our key aim. This is a town that we have grown up in and really understand what a difference the scheme and its benefits will make to local people.  “The LDO submission marks a key point in the journey to making these plans a reality for the whole of Skegness and the wider area to benefit from. We look forward to continuing our support to East Lindsey District Council throughout the process – and to making its vision a reality.” To find out more about Skegness Gateway, please visit the website at www.skegnessgateway.co.uk.   Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Borough finances set to 'remain in a critical condition' - London Councils responds to Autumn Statement

Borough finances set to ‘remain in a critical condition’ – London Councils responds to Autumn Statement

Cllr Georgia Gould, Chair of London Councils, said: “Borough finances remain in a critical condition. Before today’s statement from the chancellor we estimated a £700 million shortfall next year for councils in the capital, which means a bleak future for many of the local services our communities rely on.  “Council tax is not the answer to the inadequate funding we’re grappling with. Council tax rises during a cost-of-living crisis are extremely difficult for the struggling households we’re determined to support. But even if council tax goes up, it could never plug that £700m funding gap. “Boroughs need proper investment from the government. Just as ministers worked in partnership with councils during the Covid-19 pandemic, we now require similar support in the face of the current economic emergency. We stand ready to work together in finding a sustainable solution that protects local services, helps Londoners through cost-of-living pressures, and secures the economic growth we all want to see.” London Councils’ analysis ahead of the Autumn Statement showed boroughs in the capital face a funding gap of £400m this year (2022-23) and £700m next year (2023-24). Local authorities are highly dependent on central government funding and there are no realistic options for boroughs to raise the £700m through other means. If boroughs were to try generating the £700m from London’s council taxpayers, council tax bills would need to rise by around 18%. There are strict legal limits on local authorities raising council tax. Before the changes announced by the chancellor at the Autumn Statement, London boroughs could only raise council tax by 2.99% and would need to hold a referendum to go above that. London Councils’ calculation of a £700m funding shortfall next year already factors in an anticipated increase in council tax revenue. The cross-party group estimates that the government permitting council tax increases of 5% could still only close the gap by £80m, if boroughs chose the new maximum increase. London Councils wants to see significant reform of local government finance so that boroughs have more resource-raising flexibilities and are less reliant on central government funds and council tax. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Dewsbury Riverside Development takes positive steps forward

Dewsbury Riverside Development takes positive steps forward

The next phase for Kirklees Dewsbury Riverside Development has been approved at Strategic Planning Committee on 3 November, paving the way for Kirklees Council to carry out the next steps of the Local Plan allocation for housing development. Strategic Planning Committee granted planning permission based on full details of the first phase of access road into the site, and outline details for the provision of new community facilities and up to 350 new homes. The application also supports the delivery of high-quality pedestrian and cycle facilities connecting to the new signalised site access junction at the existing Forge Lane / Lees Hall Road junction, as well as the ability to connect to the new Ravensthorpe Railway Station which is part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade. The next steps include the council working with local people to progress an Inclusive Communities Framework for the area which will feed the community’s future needs into the next stages of developing the site alongside external partners. Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “This is an exciting step towards the creation of a vibrant and welcoming new community which has been made possible by collaborative working with local people, the council, Homes England, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Network Rail. We are committed to ensuring that the new Riverside development works for new and existing residents, many of whom have had their say about the proposals during the consultation phase, helping us better understand the aspirations and needs of the local community.” The first phase of construction has recently been completed by local company, The Casey Group Ltd with the creation of a new allotment site that will replace the original site of 25 plots with 43 plots. The transition of the existing allotment holders will start in the coming months. The planning application can be viewed on the council’s planning portal. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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