A natural flood management scheme implemented in Pickering provided important protection for the town over Christmas 2015, new analysis has shown.

The government has released a short film to promote the Northern Powerhouse to the world.
The video runs for just under three minutes and looks to attract international investment to the area. It is being promoted by British embassies across the world, as well as by supportive trade bodies and northern businesses.
Footage focusses on the natural beauty and iconic sights of the region, as well as promote the skilled workforce available to businesses.

Councils will be allowed to decide how many starter homes are built in their area after peers at the House of Lords supported two amendments to the Housing and Planning Bill.

Sutton Council is set to provide insurance services to three neighbouring boroughs, including Reigate and Banstead, Epson and Ewell and Surrey Health councils.

Communities Secretary Gregg Clark has declared that despite some progress being made, Tower Hamlets council has some way to go until it sees the return of its powers.

Five councils across the country have joined forces with police, the Food Standards Agency and the Department for Communities and Local Government to target rogue traders who flout regulations.

The next phase of the One Public Estate initiative has been launched, offering councils up to £500,000 to support the delivery of ambitious property based initiatives.

The governent has been defeated in the House of Lords over plans to offer ‘affordable’ homes to first time buyers at a 20 per cent discount.
Labour, Liberal Democrat and cross-bench peers have voted to moderate the plans, which would mean that one in five properties in new developments must be available for first time buyers under 40 years old at a 20 per cent discount.

The merger of the Lancashire County Pension Fund (LCPF) and London Pension Fund Authority (LPFA) has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Chelmsford City Council in Essex has been forced to amend a controversial law that criminalised ‘rough sleeping’ after a petition was launched campaigning against the move.