Local Authority & Councils Archives - Government & Public Sector Journal

Believ marks three years of growth with major milestones in UK EV charging rollout

Electric vehicle (EV) charge point operator (CPO) Believ is marking three years following its rebrand from Liberty Charge with a series of major milestones across its growing standard, standard plus*, rapid and ultra-rapid nationwide network.

Over the past three years, Believ has focused on delivering reliable, inclusive and future-ready charging infrastructure for local authorities,

Continue reading Believ marks three years of growth with major milestones in UK EV charging rollout

Communities step in as local building closures rise across Scotland

Whalsay Kirk in Shetland

New research by Development Trusts Association Scotland (DTAS) shows a record 320 communities moved to buy or lease local buildings in Scotland in the past 12 months – an increase of 300% since 2024.

There is now a significant number of buildings in community ownership across Scotland, ranging from libraries and community

Continue reading Communities step in as local building closures rise across Scotland

How Hackney Council is Transforming Public Safety with AI-Powered Video Analytics

Photo courtesy: Hackney Council

Hackney Council is making public spaces safer by leveraging AI-powered video analytics tools to better detect and respond to incidents.

Managing safety during a major event Hackney Council approached long-time security and surveillance partner Synectics to understand how video analytics could help them strengthen public safety.

A trial of Synergy

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Believ partners with Big Ideas Programme to inspire Suffolk students to tackle environmental challenges

Electric vehicle (EV) charge point operator (CPO) Believ has partnered with the Big Ideas Programme, a Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) competition-based initiative aimed at developing creative solutions for sustainability, to support young people in Suffolk to address local and global environmental challenges.

The Big Ideas Competition 2025 National Final Winners – Diploflowcus from Perton Middle School

Delivered by social enterprise, Solutions for the Planet, the year-long programme, runs from October 2026 to

Continue reading Believ partners with Big Ideas Programme to inspire Suffolk students to tackle environmental challenges

Voicescape Launches READY Framework to Help Councils Prepare for Local Government Reorganisation

A new whitepaper, Readiness is Resilience, has been launched by intelligent automation solutions provider Voicescape designed to help local authorities prepare for local government reorganisation (LGR).

UK local government finances have deteriorated significantly over the past decade and a half. Net debt has doubled since 2010, reaching £122.2 billion in 2024/25, while approximately 43% of local authorities

Continue reading Voicescape Launches READY Framework to Help Councils Prepare for Local Government Reorganisation

Why tackling waste crime is critical to keeping EPR costs under control

By Paul Empson, General Manager, Bakers Basco

Paul Empson

The recent arrest linked to alleged multi-million pound packaging fraud is a stark reminder that waste crime is evolving and that its consequences reach far beyond the individuals directly involved.

While this particular case centres on the Packaging Producer Responsibility (PPR) regime, the underlying issue is one

Continue reading Why tackling waste crime is critical to keeping EPR costs under control

Supply chains starting to make positive change, says Fire Aware

Supply chains are increasingly taking their duty of care for public safety seriously in the interests of protecting people across multiple sectors, according to growing fire safety body Fire Aware.

The fire safety organisation is seeing a behavioural change as a wide range of companies large and small start to adopt rigorous processes to

Continue reading Supply chains starting to make positive change, says Fire Aware

Europcar helps London Borough of Camden lead by example and cut operational emissions

Carefully selected eVans, onsite training and detailed handover give council drivers a smooth journey to electric mobility

As part of its Climate Action Plan 2026-2030, the London Borough of Camden has partnered with Europcar Mobility Group UK to cut its fleet emissions as it moves towards being a net-zero borough by 2030. Working

Continue reading Europcar helps London Borough of Camden lead by example and cut operational emissions

Aligning policy and infrastructure: How the UK can accelerate the EV charging rollout

Reporter: Stuart Littleford

Richard Turnbull, Head of Public Affairs at charge point operator (CPO), Believ, has a long-standing career in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. As the market scales and evolves to meet growing EV demand, and continues to adapt, Richard shares his thoughts with GPSJ on the latest policy measures, how they impact

Continue reading Aligning policy and infrastructure: How the UK can accelerate the EV charging rollout

Local authorities urge action on EV charging accessibility as councils struggle to balance inclusive design with limited street space

Local authorities are calling for clearer guidance and faster action to ensure the UK’s expanding public Electric Vehicle (EV) charging network is accessible to all drivers, as new research reveals many councils are struggling to deliver inclusive infrastructure in constrained public spaces.

More than half (53%) of councils say balancing the need for accessible charge points with

Continue reading Local authorities urge action on EV charging accessibility as councils struggle to balance inclusive design with limited street space

The real cost of cash-first: Rethinking crisis payments as risks mount

By Mark Bufton, Senior Business Development Manager at BHN

Mark Bufton

For years, local welfare schemes have faced a quiet tension: how to provide emergency financial help quickly, while ensuring public funds are used responsibly. These schemes are designed to support people facing acute financial hardship – often those on low incomes, families struggling

Continue reading The real cost of cash-first: Rethinking crisis payments as risks mount

LGfL launches free Artificial Intelligence Policy Toolkit to help schools put safeguarding first

Edtech charity LGfL-The National Grid for Learning has launched a free Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy Toolkit for schools across the UK. Designed for senior leaders and Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs), the toolkit provides a practical framework to develop safe, effective and future-ready AI policies, aligned with Keeping Children Safe in Education and Department for Education guidance.

As AI becomes

Continue reading LGfL launches free Artificial Intelligence Policy Toolkit to help schools put safeguarding first

Certified Security Bollards from Hörmann

Hörmann UK is reinforcing its commitment to public safety and infrastructure resilience with a range of certified high-security bollards designed to meet the stringent requirements of public sector and local government environments. The range has been engineered specifically to protect people, buildings and critical infrastructure from unauthorised vehicle access while supporting the operational needs

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Collaboration is key to driving fire safety, says Fire Aware

Supply chain partners working closely together across multiple sectors can help ensure our buildings are safe for those moving about in them, says growing safety body Fire Aware.

Collaborating on issues including legislation, supply of products and new innovations can all help to create a safer outcome across many sectors facing challenging times, it

Continue reading Collaboration is key to driving fire safety, says Fire Aware

Cutting social value would be a false economy for housing

By Graham Collie, director of product innovation, LHC Procurement Group (LHCPG)

Graham Collie

Dropping social value from public sector procurement may sound like a simple way to cut costs, but in housing it would come with a heavy price.

Remember, with social housing decisions do not just affect budgets; they shape the quality of

Continue reading Cutting social value would be a false economy for housing

Safety is now a duty of care across multiple sectors, says Fire Aware

The cultural change needed to bring about a shift in fire safety starts with a recognition of a duty of care by all of those responsible across multiple sectors, says growing fire safety body Fire Aware.

Everyone involved in the design, construction, maintenance and letting of the built environment needs to understand that they

Continue reading Safety is now a duty of care across multiple sectors, says Fire Aware

UNIFIED PAYMENTS FOR UNITARY COUNCILS: THE KEY TO FINANCIAL INSIGHT AND SMARTER DECISIONS

By Steve Rose, IMS Project Strategic Finance Lead at Somerset Council.

Steve Rose

When Somerset Council was formed as a new unitary authority, as part of the largest shake-up in local government in 50 years, five district councils became one. With that came the significant task of unifying systems, services and teams to ensure a smoother,

Continue reading UNIFIED PAYMENTS FOR UNITARY COUNCILS: THE KEY TO FINANCIAL INSIGHT AND SMARTER DECISIONS

Major step forward as powers move from Westminster to Cheshire and Warrington

The transfer of powers from Parliament to Cheshire and Warrington has been confirmed today, giving local people and leaders more control over the region’s future.

The Parliamentary Order to formally establish the Combined Authority has been approved and signed by Minister for Devolution, Miatta Fahnbulleh.

It means the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority is now

Continue reading Major step forward as powers move from Westminster to Cheshire and Warrington

How location data can help identify Hard-to-Heat homes in Britain

With rising living costs, heating homes is not always easy for every household and fuel poverty is now sadly heard on a regular basis.

Ordnance Survey (OS) has analysed 23.6 million homes across Great Britain. With over 600 million data features, the OS NGD provides trusted, authoritative insight into Britain’s buildings, including age, construction

Continue reading How location data can help identify Hard-to-Heat homes in Britain

Fusion21 invites bids for £85 million Grounds Maintenance Framework

Fusion21 has announced the renewal of its national Grounds Maintenance Framework, worth up to £85 million over four years, and is now inviting bids from interested suppliers providing regional or national coverage.

The national procurement specialist is seeking competent firms operating in the public sector, including SMEs, to support its members in delivering grounds

Continue reading Fusion21 invites bids for £85 million Grounds Maintenance Framework

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