PLC Public Sector reports:
Make sure that you have not missed a key development in your area of the law by reviewing our latest list of recommended actions.
PLC Public Sector reports:
Following its highly publicised dispute with its former managing director, Mrs Christine Laird, which resulted in a financial loss to Cheltenham Borough Council of some £2 million, the Audit Commission has published a report in the public interest under section 8 of the Audit Commission Act 1998.
Although it is unlikely that many local authorities will ever have to deal with a case of the same nature and magnitude, the recommendations that have been made in the public interest report following the auditor’s review of the Council’s decision-making process contain some timely reminders for local authorities on good governance and decision-making in relation to the taking of legal proceedings.
PLC Public Sector reports:
Make sure that you have not missed a key development in your area of the law by reviewing our latest list of recommended actions.
24/03/2010
Making planning enforcement pay
Stuart Andrews, Partner, Eversheds LLP:
In this post, Stuart Andrews, a partner at Eversheds LLP, outlines an innovative tool available to local authorities to crack down on abuses of the planning system.
PLC Public Sector reports:
Make sure that you have not missed a key development in your area of the law by reviewing our latest list of recommended actions.
Daniel Greenberg, PLC consultant:
The changes to Parliamentary procedure agreed to by the House of Commons on 4th March 2010 have attracted media interest as a general re-adjustment of political power within Parliament.
Although the Commons agreed to a fairly extensive package of changes to practice and procedure (with more to come at the start of next Session), the two that are likely to have the most impact for public law are the establishment of a “back-bench business committee” and changes to the procedures for appointing chairs of select committees.
PLC Public Sector reports:
Make sure that you have not missed a key development in your area of the law by reviewing our latest list of recommended actions.
10/03/2010
Joint Ventures: Partnerships of the Future?…
PLC Public Sector reports:
… Maybe, seemed to be the answer from last week’s conference hosted by Local Partnerships and sponsored by PLC Public Sector and Nabarro LLP.
Local authorities have, of course, been using all sorts of joint venture arrangements for many years, including simple contract arrangements, pooled budgets, joint committees and JVCs for PFI projects. More recently, joint ventures have included the establishment of social enterprises and local authority trading companies. The focus of the conference was on joint venture companies.
PLC Public Sector reports:
Make sure that you have not missed a key development in your area of the law by reviewing our latest list of recommended actions.
PLC Public Sector reports:
According to recent press reports, a bidder has obtained an injunction in respect of a building maintenance contract tendered by Norwich City Council. The injunction prevents the Council awarding the contract to its chosen bidder. The injunction was granted on the basis that there was an arguable case that:
- The successful bidder had submitted an abnormally low tender.
- The Council had failed to fully investigate whether the bidder would actually be able to deliver the contract requirements at its tendered price.
- There had also been flaws in the way that the Council had disclosed it evaluation criteria.
While we must await the outcome of the full hearing (due to take place in June) before commenting fully on the implications of this decision, the court’s acceptance of an allegation of failing to investigate an abnormally low tender, and the fact that an interim injunction has been granted, are both significant developments that public sector purchasers should be aware of.