The Updated Playbook The fifth PPN of 2020 draws attention to the recent publication of the Cabinet Office’s Outsourcing Playbook v2.0. The original iteration of the Playbook was designed to help central government departments make better decisions in relation to outsourcing by codifying best practice from across government. The updated version builds on the original…
Considering the principles of transparency and fairness in the exercise of discretion On 17 June 2020, the High Court handed down its judgment in a case with important implications for the contracting authorities undertaking procurement exercises, Stagecoach East Midlands Trains Ltd & Ors v The Secretary of State for Transport [2020] EWHC 1568 (TCC). The…
Defra has recently updated its ‘Managing HWRCs in England during the coronavirus pandemic’ guidance to clarify its position on the reopening of HWRCs. The guidance highlights an amendment to the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020, which expressly allows the public to visit waste and recycling centres. On that basis, there is no legal…
New Community Infrastructure Levy Guidance and Section 106 Agreements The Difficulties The Community Infrastructure Levy (‘CIL’) is usually payable when development of a CIL-liable planning permission commences. The Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 (‘CIL Regs 2010’) require that standard payments are made within 60 days of the intended commencement date (regulation 70) and while the…
Sharpe Pritchard LLP acted for the London Borough of Waltham Forest (the ‘Council’) in defence of two claims for judicial review of decisions made against Mr Mohammed and Mrs Lahrie (the ‘Claimants’), directors of property companies operating, and owners of property, in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. On 7 May 2020, the High Court…
The third PPN published in quick succession (PPN 03/20) saw the Government issue guidance on the use of procurement cards by ‘in scope organisations’ (Central Government Departments, their Executive Agencies and Non Departmental Public Bodies). Procurement cards are widely used in the public sector for transactions below certain thresholds, and have been found to save…
