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

Educational Psychologist

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
£45,586-£61,664
Join Our Values-Driven Psychology Service in Sandwell as an Educational and Child Psychologist Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Quantity Surveyor

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band G, SCP32 - 37 (£42,839 - £48,226) per annum
There is an excellent opportunity to join the Quantity Surveying team within the Asset Management Directorate of Sandwell MBC. Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Highways Technical Assistant

North Yorkshire Council
£29,064 - £31,537 per annum
Would you like to be part of one of our friendly, welcoming Highways teams, who are proud to manage all aspects of the highway network? Kirby Misperton, Malton
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Registration Officer

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
£31,537 - £36,363
In this role, you will enjoy working with customers, delivering great customer service in a busy front-line environment. Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Digital and Automation Analyst

North Yorkshire Council
£38,220-£42,839
Are you passionate about improving digital services for everyone? Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner