Cheshire East ventures, Fulham redevelopment, Combined authority powers, Software procurement tender…

Think tank: “Give combined authorities souped-up powers”
Think tank Centre for Cities has called on the government to allow city regions outside London the same powers as are available to the capital. This week, Merseyside, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and Tyne & Wear joined Greater Manchester in forming combined authorities with transport and economic development powers. Centre for Cities said these areas needed greater powers to raise money, intervene in planning, establish transport bodies and take control of more public land for regeneration purposes.

Council approves two more stand-alone companies
Cheshire East Council has launched two new wholly-owned companies covering waste and bereavement services. Waste and street scene services will be operated by Ansa Environmental Services, while burial, cremation, memorial services plus bereavement support will be run by Orbitas Bereavement Service. The council said that Ansa would save 10 per cent of its current budget over the next 5 years, while creating new income streams worth an additional 2.5 per cent of current budget.

Joint venture to redevelop council estates
Hammersmith and Fulham Council has signed a deal with developer Stanhope to replace homes on council estates with new homes for sale. The 15 year joint venture arrangement will see more than 300 homes, described by the council as “low cost”, built on two sites in Fulham. The council says the move will help reduce its £200 million of housing debt, as well as providing estate improvements elsewhere in the borough.

Tender aimed at reducing software procurement costs
The government has published a tender for a framework which would see greater transparency over outsourced software contracts. The proposed framework would have a catalogue arrangement with suppliers publishing their charges for different services. The move has been made after concerns were raised that different councils were being charged differing prices for the same services by the private sector.

Sheffield launches development fund
Sheffield City Council has announced that its new retail quarter will be led by a public/private fund. The fund will be wholly owned by the council, which will contribute land under its ownership plus tax incremental finance borrowing. The council says that it has strong interest from private sector investors in contributing to the fund, which will be aimed at unlocking development in the city centre, starting with the retail quarter.

Last-gasp deal on Microsoft support
Councils running Microsoft XP, Outlook 2003 and Exchange 2003 will receive support for another year, after central government reached a deal with the digital giant. A contract worth £5.5 million will ensure all central government, local government and NHS organisations will continue to receive support after 8 April, when it had been due to run out. The Cabinet Office said the deal will save public bodies £20 million over the next year.