Dan Peters 10 January 2019

Ministers play down commercialisation 'crackdown'

Ministers have played down the prospect of a widespread crackdown on councils that borrow for commercial reasons.

The Treasury and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) are considering whether ‘further interventions’ are required to slow the commercialisation trend, which has led to councils spending £4.1bn on commercial property over the last four years.

Giving evidence to MPs before Christmas, financial secretary to the Treasury, Mel Stride, said: ‘There are risks that local authorities get overextended and take on too much risk.

'We will be looking at the instances where this is happening and determining whether these arrangements look, in the round, to be sensible or too risky.

Speaking to The MJ, local government minister Rishi Sunak said it was wrong to characterise Whitehall moves in this area as a ‘crackdown’.

To read the full interview with Rishi Sunak visit The MJ (£).

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
£35,412 - £39,152 (pre-progression) / £40,777 - £45,091 (post-progression)
We are looking for social workers who have completed the assessed and supported year in employment to join our Families First teams, working with our Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £35,412 - £39,152 (Pre-Progression) / Grade 11 £40,777 - £45,091 (Post-Progression)
Are you a nurturing social worker passionate about supporting parents so that children can remain with their birth family?     This could be the right Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administrative Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Administrative Officer to join our busy, friendly team, supporting Children and Young People’s Services. 1 x Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lunchtime Play Worker

Durham County Council
£24,796 pro rata
Lunchtime Play Worker Grade 1 £24,796 pro rata Part Time - 6.25 hour per week, Monday – Friday
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner