News Roundup: Nottingham energy firm, refugee funding, local lottery plan, fee-setting freedoms

Nottingham launches standalone energy firm
Nottingham City Council is launching an energy company in what it says is a UK first. Robin Hood Energy is a not-for-profit firm aimed at helping residents cut their bills by up to £240 a year. The company will offer three tariffs, including a discounted rate for city residents. Councillor Alan Clark admitted there was a risk of the council losing money, but said the plan had passed all regulatory inspections.

Government ‘must support councils’ on refugees
The government needs to commit funding to help councils support refugees until they are either granted asylum or returned to their home country, the Local Government Association says. The LGA was responding to a plan announced by prime minister David Cameron to allow up to 20,000 refugees into the UK over the next five years. David Simmonds CBE, chairman of the LGA’s asylum, migration and refugee task group, said: “Local communities that open their doors at a moment of crisis should not be left to pick up the pieces when funding runs out and the world’s attention has moved on.”

Aylesbury considers lottery plan
Aylesbury Vale District Council is considering a plan to launch its own online community lottery to raise money for community and voluntary groups. The council said that 58p in every pound would be spent on services, compared to 28p in the pound spent on good causes through the National Lottery. Entrants could win a prize of up to £20,000 if the plan is approved.

Burnley signs 10-year outsourcing deal
Burnley Council has signed a decade-long deal with outsourcing firm Liberata covering services including payroll. The council claims it will save around £8m over the life of the contract compared to retaining them in house. The contract is worth £34m and is the result of a “change programme” undertaken by the council to deal with budget reductions.

Call for greater fee-setting freedoms
Authorities should be allowed greater freedoms over setting council tax, planning and licensing charges, according to the District Councils’ Network. The body, which represents around 200 councils, made its call in a submission to the Treasury in advance of the comprehensive spending review set for November.