Archive

Early success claimed for deposit protections

31 May 2007

Tens of thousands of tenants have benefited from government schemes introduced two months ago to protect rent deposits, DCLG said today.

Manchester councils hope to scoop entire fund

30 May 2007

Manchester councils are making an audacious bid for all of a national transport pot, to help it introduce a congestion charge.

Revised spatial strategy calls for more homes

29 May 2007

Five thousand more homes have been proposed for the North East in a revision of the region's spatial strategy.

City-regions eye transport powers

25 May 2007

City-regions could be given more powers to plan and run local transport under government plans.

Draft legislation proposes more autonomy for cities

25 May 2007

The government has offered major cities the opportunity to design their own governance for transport provision in their regions.

Housing drive increases demolition, say advisers

25 May 2007

Efforts to rapidly create so-called 'sustainable communities' have led to excessive demolition of existing homes and a lack of facilities for new residents, says the Government's own adviser.

5 Steps to... winning the support of local politicians

25 May 2007

1. Identify the relevant person. "Internet access has made this increasingly easy," says Jayne Hathway, south-west regional director of The Scarman Trust, which helps local community groups to deliver positive change in their areas. "You need to identify who your local councillor is, whether they sit on any relevant steering groups, and who else could help you."

Political pressure grows for casinos

By Sir Peter Hall

25 May 2007

There's one tricky bit of regeneration business to be resolved before Labour's 27 June handover: where to put Britain's first mega-casino. Back in January, the independent advisory panel stunned everyone - including, apparently, the Government - by recommending Manchester, the outsider, over the favourite Blackpool (where I chair the urban regeneration company). Then in March, when the Government put an order before Parliament for this regional casino and 16 smaller ones, the Lords threw it out. Result: pause for cogitation, prolonged by a convention prohibiting the Government from statements that could influence the local elections.

Think-tank proposes business rate supplement to fund works

25 May 2007

Local firms should pay a supplementary business rate to help finance transport projects, a think-tank has said.

Watchdog slams DCLG for Gateway deficiencies

25 May 2007

The Thames Gateway housing growth programme lacks proper planning, a properly-costed budget and strong management, according to the public spending watchdog.