Breaking down England's fiscal devolution plans
David Phillips of the IFS tells LocalGov why England's regional finance reforms are modest by global comparison and what ministers still need to get right.
Waste: Councillors consider consolidation centres
Birmingham City Council is to examine whether Urban Freight Consolidation Centres could be used to serve the city centre.
UFCCs are designed to rationalise the number of deliveries to main shopping centres by directing all long-distance deliveries to a single location in the city, where deliveries are then consolidated and taken a short distance to their final destination.
The council will be contacting retailers and businesses in the city in the next few weeks, asking them to complete a questionnaire regarding their delivery arrangements and requirements.
Cllr Len Gregory, cabinet member for transportation and street services, said: ‘Studies elsewhere in the UK have shown there can be many benefits to be gained by the introduction of UFCCs, including less congestion, reduction in noise and air pollution and in the number of accidents.
‘Plus, of course, there would be less wear and tear and maintenance of the highways and delivery areas.’
