Government Announcement – 7 September 2026 The Government has today announced a pause and review of its local government reorganisation programme, following updated legal advice. Peter Collins explains what you need to know. Decisions affecting Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk have been withdrawn, while proposals in a further 14 areas, as well as Cambridgeshire and... Read more
As the government consults on national section 106 templates for medium-sized housing sites, Emily Knowles, Rachel Lee and Katie Millar explain what this means for local planning authorities. Section 106 agreements are essential to the delivery of housing and infrastructure- they secure the planning obligations that make otherwise unacceptable development acceptable in planning terms. Yet... Read more
Announcements today show that government at both national and London level is moving beyond simply setting housing targets and is focusing on removing barriers to delivery. Emily Knowles, Gemma Duncan and Katie Millar explain what you need to know. The UK Government has announced close to £10bn in funding for 33 Strategic Partners: councils, housing... Read more
With the NPPF 2026 now in force, the planning rulebook has shifted decisively. Rebecca Stewart takes a first look at what some of the changes mean for LPAs and developers. On 17 August, the Government published its much-anticipated new National Planning Policy Framework (“NPPF 2026”), introducing a suite of changes to national planning policy. Through... Read more
We have been thinking a lot recently about what local authorities need from their highways maintenance contracts, particularly after working with several authorities on the procurement of their long-term arrangements. Here, Partner Jane Crees breaks down what local authorities need to know. These contracts are the quiet work-horses of public life: they rarely get much... Read more
Council-owned companies, joint ventures and corporate vehicles can be easy to overlook during local government reorganisation. From wholly owned subsidiaries to housing companies and regeneration LLPs, councils should identify key legal and governance risks before vesting day to avoid problems later. Partner and expert, Peter Collins, explains all you need to know. Contents Why council-owned... Read more
Sharpe Pritchard has successfully represented a local authority in High Court proceedings concerning the closure of a nursery, securing the dismissal of a judicial review brought by a group of parents. The claim arose following the local authority's decision to agree to a proposal by the service provider to terminate its service contract early. The... Read more
