Posted 20.01.14
With grant funding from central government falling every year, the need for councils to innovate to secure revenue streams is paramount. In response, Ashford Borough Council's cabinet has agreed to adopt a property acquisition investment and disposal strategy.
The Council hopes that this strategy will help it reduce reliance on central government grant funding and move it towards its aspiration of becoming self-financing by the 2018-19 financial year.
This becomes even more relevant when considering that the grant allocation for the 2015-16 financial year is expected to be 49% less than the allocation in 2010-11.
The strategy will see a 'member panel' created, that will assist in the purchase of future investment properties, which will be limited to £2 million per annum and, if necessary, financed by prudential borrowing.
The member panel will be able to make decisions outside of cabinet so that the possibility of investigating, negotiating and agreeing procurement can be undertaken without reports first having to go before cabinet members.
Given that interest rates are forecast to remain low, commercial property may enable the Council to generate a higher level of income. As part of the proposals, land or property that is owned by the Council will be disposed of where it is appropriate to do so in the interests of improving and regenerating the borough.
Cllr Neil Shorter, Ashford Borough Council's portfolio holder for resource management and control, said:
"No longer can local authorities simply take a municipal approach to the way they operate. We have to think commercially now. Good asset management is therefore essential and by investing in long-term assets that produce a net income we are acting in the best interests of the tax payer.
"With this robust strategy in place, we now have an additional means by which we can improve our financial resilience by acquiring investment properties and build an asset portfolio that will provide a commercial return."
Posted 13.01.14
Landlords of up to 10,000 private homes in Brent would have to apply for licences under proposals to stamp out issues such as poor conditions, overcrowding and antisocial behaviour by tenants.
Brent Council wants to become the first council in north London to launch a full-scale licensing scheme for private sector landlords.
The aim is to raise standards for the minority of tenants who struggle to get repairs done, live in poor conditions or suffer overcrowding. If the proposals are approved, they would also help neighbours concerned about fly-tipping and noise from some privately-rented homes.
Brent has just launched the consultation on extending its existing, limited licensing scheme, which only covers large houses in multiple occupation.
It is proposing that all private landlords of smaller houses in multiple occupation in the borough would need a licence, along with the landlords of all privately-rented homes in three wards - Harlesden, Willesden Green and Wembley Central.
Licence fees for landlords would be reasonable and the Council would also be offering them discounts and incentives, although there will be penalties for breaches of licence conditions.
Consultation on the proposals runs until early March.
Posted 07.01.14
Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles published (4 January 2014) the first ever guidance on weekly bin collections, encouraging councils in England to support weekly services.
The guidance also challenges the "top 10 tall stories" that have used as excuses to cut the frequency of rubbish collection services.
As part of encouraging councils to deliver better services for Council Tax payers, the Local Government Secretary is supporting weekly collections by publishing examples where councils have kept weekly collections, increased recycling and made common sense efficiency savings.
The so called 'bin bible' report is being sent to every local authority in England and is a direct challenge of the fortnightly bin industry. This is seen as being in strong contrast to the devolved administration in Wales, which is now moving towards monthly bin collections.
The guidance challenges what it refers to as myths - for example:
Which local authorities completed the following stock transfers:
3 points
Bridgend CB Council transferred its housing stock to Valleys to Coast.
North East Lincolnshire Council transferred its housing stock to Shoreline Housing Partnership.
Sefton Council transferred its housing stock to One Vision Housing.
