LATEST EDITION

Winter/Spring 2026

April 2026
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
27282930  

Archives

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

Continue reading Certified Security Bollards from Hörmann

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

Councils say budget funding constraints is biggest barrier to EV charge point rollout 

Councils name top eight barriers to EV charging rollout Charge point operator (CPO) Believ says new report shows more advice and training should be signposted to local authorities and that administrative delays hindering the LEVI tendering process need addressing.

Local authorities say constrained budgets and slow access to government funding are the biggest barriers

Continue reading Councils say budget funding constraints is biggest barrier to EV charge point rollout 

Believ welcomes PAS 1899 review and advocates for improved accessibility for EV charging 

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charge Point Operator (CPO) Believ is welcoming the BSI PAS 1899 review and updated recommendations as an important milestone in industry coming together to improve access of EV charging for all drivers, including those with diverse accessibility needs. 

Three years on from the publication of the PAS 1899 accessible charging guidance, a comprehensive

Continue reading Believ welcomes PAS 1899 review and advocates for improved accessibility for EV charging 

Why bungalows are a bad idea for older people’s housing

By Mike Lord, CEO and Chairman of Stiltz Homelifts

Mike Lord

For decades, the bungalow has been the gold standard of later-life housing. Single-storey living promises freedom from stairs, simpler maintenance, and the comfort of a private garden. For many older people, it has symbolised a sensible, even aspirational, step down from the

Continue reading Why bungalows are a bad idea for older people’s housing

Forbes launches new service to help social landlords meet Awaab’s Law obligations 

Siobhan Hardy

Lancashire-headquartered Forbes Solicitors has launched an innovative new ‘Awaab’s Law Compliance Service’, in response to rising instances of social landlords facing obstructions when trying to carry out their obligations. 

Awaab’s Law, which came into force on October 27 this year, mandates that social landlords must respond promptly and efficiently to reports of damp,

Continue reading Forbes launches new service to help social landlords meet Awaab’s Law obligations 

HousingAI appoints Mike Ellis as CEO

HousingAI is a new AI knowledge platform built specifically for the social housing market HousingAI helps landlords and local authorities to navigate housing law, regulation and best practice Built from a concept developed by the Healthy Homes Hub the platform will be rolled out to the sector in 2026 Mike Ellis

HousingAI, a new

Continue reading HousingAI appoints Mike Ellis as CEO

True Grit: How to avoid cowboy gritters this winter

OUTCO explains how to tell a professional winter gritting service from the cowboys that will leave you out in the cold

Winter gritting sometimes can feel like a grudge purchase. It’s a cost you can’t avoid, for an overnight service that you often can’t see happening, to prevent risks that hopefully won’t happen. It’s

Continue reading True Grit: How to avoid cowboy gritters this winter

Councils ‘to be bypassed’ for large-scale housing developments: Legal comment

Local authorities will be prevented from refusing planning permission for large housing developments, according to newspaper reports.

Will Thomas

Steve Reed, Housing and Communities Secretary, is expected to announce this week that planning applications for schemes comprising more than 150 homes will be referred directly to central government – bypassing council planning committees.

Commenting

Continue reading Councils ‘to be bypassed’ for large-scale housing developments: Legal comment

Waste Crime Is Everyone’s Problem, But Councils Are Paying the Price

By Paul Empson, General Manager, Bakers Basco

Paul Empson

As someone on the frontline of the UK’s waste-crime crisis, I fully support Keep Britain Tidy’s call for stronger enforcement. But what really struck me in their latest survey was just how many local authorities are feeling the pressure. With 98% reporting fly-tipping in their area

Continue reading Waste Crime Is Everyone’s Problem, But Councils Are Paying the Price

Elevating Housing – Why the Future of UK Homes Must Look Beyond the Staircase

By Stiltz Homelifts/CEO Mike Lord

The UK is on the brink of a profound demographic transformation. By 2072, more than a quarter of the population – around 22.1 million people – will be aged 65 or over. Yet, the homes being built today are failing to meet the needs of this ageing society.

Mike

Continue reading Elevating Housing – Why the Future of UK Homes Must Look Beyond the Staircase