16/09/2024
Welcome to the September edition of Local Authority View, an update summarising recent Government publications, legislation, cases and other developments relevant to those involved in the local authority sector.
This month, we have covered the following:
The SRA regulatory framework for in-house legal teams
In-house legal practice has been the subject of increasing focus over the last year. Daniel Purcell looks at the key features of the SRA regulatory framework as it applies to in house solicitors.
Bevan Brittan supports creation of key local government guidance
Philip McCourt has worked with Lawyers in Local Government (LLG), the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA) and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (Solace) on the creation of The Code of Practice on Good Governance for Statutory Officers. This important guidance sets out expectations and responsibilities for Chief Executives, Chief Financial Officers and Monitoring Officers in local authorities.
LLG Members’ Planning Code of Good Practice
The above follow’s Philip’s work earlier this year working with Lawyers in Local Government to launch a refresh of LLG’s Members’ Planning Code of Good Practice.
The Procurement Act 2023: now due to take effect 24 February 2025
The Cabinet Office has now announced that the Procurement Act 2023 will not come into effect until 24 February 2025, having been delayed to allow the new government to re-consider and update the National Procurement Policy Statement to best reflect its priorities. In this article Emily Heard summarises the preparatory steps which authorities can be taking to ready themselves for the biggest shake-up to public procurement which most of us can remember.
The new duty of candour
The new Labour Government is committed to introducing a new ‘Hillsborough Law’ to “help rebuild trust and foster respect” by the introduction of a statutory duty of candour on public servants and authorities.
Olivia Carter explores what this new legislation could mean for local authorities and council officers.
The Black cloud of funding issues and s.114s
With an estimated £4 billion funding gap over the next two years, many local authorities are going to be faced with tough decisions around the prioritisation of service provision for their constituents.
If you are concerned about funding gaps and/or potentially facing the decision around whether or not to issue a s114 notice, please do have a look at the resources we have put together to help:
Access to properties for electrical and gas compliance inspections
Our specialist Housing Management Team have developed a tried and tested technology-based solution intended to support our local authority clients who are struggling to gain access to properties for compliance inspections primarily in relation to Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR) and Gas.
Local Authorities and Health & Safety: The Cornerstones of Success
To mark the 50th anniversary of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, we hosted an insightful webinar around how the act has changed the way the UK approaches health and safety.
In this session, "Local Authorities and Health & Safety: The Cornerstones of Success", we celebrated safety achievements local authorities have made in the past 50 years and explored learnings to take forwards, led by an expert panel of health, safety and legal professionals.
PFI Perspectives: Local Authorities
More than 25 years on from the first PFI projects, the sector faces a number of challenges: multiple defects issues, high profile disputes, insolvencies and the need to plan for expiry and handback.
With recent commentary suggesting that the government may be looking at new models of public-private partnership to deliver much-needed infrastructure, now is an opportune time to discuss those challenges. Working with different stakeholders across the sector on a variety of projects means we understand the value of seeing things from different perspectives.
In this session, we'll be exploring PFI from the perspective of Local Authorities. We're joined by speakers with a wealth of experience in this space, including:
- Judith Hopper - Partner - Bevan Brittan
- Emma Brown - PFI Contract Lead - Wiltshire County Council
- Sam Thurgood - Associate Director - CBRE
- Georgia Lewis - Senior Strategy Director Commercial - Local Partnerships
