New book explores legal side of charging
0With local authorities exploring innovative ways to generate income, a new book on charging powers may help. Solicitor Rob Hann has published Local Authority Charging and Trading Powers: a guide to give local authorities a better understanding of what income generating opportunities exist under statute.
“Charging is always an emotive subject,” said Hann, “with lots of articles around stealth taxes etc, but there is pressure on local authorities to generate income and a lot of encouragement to use new powers where there may be existing ones. So this book should help local authorities keep on the right legal path.” A 2010 Mori poll found that 33% of residents supported local authorities selling services locally and 64% supported being able to charge more for a superior service.
Hann calls his book a first port of call for councils to help save time and money and spark ideas about income generation within the law. Hann who is director, legal services for Local Partnerships is also responsible for the LGA’s enterprising councils guidance. The guidance will be the subject of a Q&A event for local authority officers with questions about charging, trading or shared services at the end of April.
“Local authority charging, trading and shared services are not the same thing,” added Hann. Careful scrutiny of legislation and analysis of the activity being undertaken is needed to determine which statute and process is best suited.”
