Local Government

One of the firm's core activities is our work with local authorities and thanks to our extensive experience of local government, we can anticipate the issues likely to be of most concern - and how potential problems can be overcome.

Five Sharpe Pritchard partners and several other fee-earners are former employees of local authorities with invaluable first-hand experience of the workings of local government. We can advise members both in writing and at meetings - and are always conscious of the political and public relations considerations relevant to any public sector organisation.

We have also built up considerable experience in-house, working on public/private partnerships, outsourcing arrangements, large-scale procurement exercises, private finance transactions and transfers of land and assets. We have advised on the powers to enter into these types of arrangements, and have frequently advised on alternative means of achieving the desired outcome.

We have acted in many of the leading cases affecting local government in recent years, including litigation in the Court of Appeal and House of Lords on issues including human rights, bias, local government finance and the powers of the Secretary of State and the Commissioner for Local Administration.

We have also provided advice to local authorities on public law issues such as members' interests and procedure at meetings to ensure the risk of challenge is minimised. We are familiar with the Code of Conduct for members' interests and have frequently advised on its application.

We can also advise on new legislation affecting local government and have already advised on the best value duty, on potential challenges to comprehensive performance assessments, and on the power to promote well-being. We are advising extensively on powers to engage in trading and to charge for services.

Finally, we can advise on local government finance, and in particular on ensuring compliance with relevant capital controls and the powers of an authority in relation to borrowing and capital expenditure.

Contact John Sharland