Staying Safe in Local Elections: Challenges and support for candidates
With local elections nearing, rising abuse fears are deterring candidates - this analysis explores risks, definitions, and new guidance to support safer campaigning.
How local authority trading companies thrive through culture and purpose
13/03/2026 Anthony Lewis, Managing Director at Tile Hill, argues that purpose-driven culture and a strong employer value proposition are vital for LATCOs to attract talent and sustain long-term performance. |
Governing, not controlling: finding the right balance with council-owned companies
12/03/2026 The success of local authority-owned companies depends on councils striking the right balance between oversight and interference, says Julia Gregory, Non-Executive and Senior Independent Director, Chair, and Trustee. |
Sharpening the commercial edge
17/06/2021 The case for well-managed council commercial activity is one that needs to be defended if we want a mature and sustainable local state, argues Jonathan Werran. |
Councils need 'right culture, skills and systems' for commercial strategies
06/10/2020 Councils must have the right culture, skills and systems to unlock the benefits and mitigate the risks of commercialisation, a report has concluded today. |
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The LATCo model
03/09/2020 Mark Scott explains how local authorities can deliver profit with a purpose. |
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The media should start to trust councils on commercialism
17/02/2020 In light of the recent headlines on councils’ £6bn-plus property 'spending spree', and recent criticism of advertising on council websites, Lloyd Clark asks why councils are still criticised for trying to raise revenue. |
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Councils shouldn’t be chastised for acting commercially
04/03/2019 Any new measures to control council’s commercial investments must recognise it is now a necessity for local authorities under financial pressure, argues Weightmans’ Simon Goacher and Clive Bleasdale. |
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2018 - the year things began to change
21/12/2018 Geed up by a spirit of entrepreneurialism, councils up and down the land were busy exploring new ways to respond to their communities in 2018. |
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Local authorities turning to commercialisation to escape austerity
02/11/2017 Councils are increasingly turning to commercialisation to escape austerity, a business model that has brought added moral dilemmas, report finds. |
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PAC: Whitehall ‘complacent’ over council commercial ventures
18/11/2016 Central government ‘must do more’ to understand local authority finances and their impact on taxpayers, Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee has claimed. |
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Liverpool Council takes control of markets for £1
28/09/2016 Liverpool City Council has taken control of all market operations in the city for a pound. |
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Fear putting councils off commercialisation, report says
14/07/2016 Local authority leaders are open to commercialisation but are held back by fear and lack of experience, new report finds. |
