A new report urges public bodies to unlock untapped assets worth an estimated £7 billion to help keep local areas strong and vibrant.
The PBE report by Power to Change, the trust focused on improving the environment for community business in England, says 60 per cent of councils have adopted policies that enable them to transfer the management or ownership of public land and buildings to community businesses, but only a third consider social value when doing so. Many try to lower financial risk by leaving buildings and land unused or by selling them.

The next stage in the plans for a devolution deal for the North of Tyne will begin soon with the launch of a public consultation.
A North of Tyne devolution deal was announced in November and offers unprecedented new powers and funding to the area, including a £600 million investment fund.
The investment and new powers are expected to generate £1.1 billion for the local economy, create 10,000 new jobs and leverage £2.1 billion in private sector investment.

Economic regulator Ofwat has announced that water customers across England and Wales can look forward to lower bills, improved services and reduced leakage.

Ofsted is warning of struggling underachieving schools where teachers ‘burn out’.
The watchdog’s annual report says there are roughly 100 schools which have not reached ‘good’ status in inspections since 2005.
Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman’s report says despite ‘attention and investment’ the schools had not improved and were struggling to recruit teachers and keep head teachers.
But ASCL head teachers’ union leader Geoff Barton said Ofsted could be part of the problem.

Cars of the future could be programmed to spot potholes and transmit the information to Highways England, the government body has said.

Essex County Council calls to divert funds from the proposed retention of business rates to help fund social care.
Social care costs account for 60p of every £1 of the council’s budget, with demand increasing as the population ages.
The council has agreed a motion that when 100 per cent of business rates are retained by councils, expected in 2020/21, the anticipated national surplus of £6.25 billion should be ring-fenced to social care, with Essex County Council receiving its share.

A new service to support people in local communities with complex needs is opening in East Leeds.
The former day centre has been transformed and upgraded to become a complex needs and dementia service, with extra investment in staffing meaning an intensive package of care and support can be provided to the growing numbers of people with dementia who might otherwise need residential or nursing care to be provided.

The cost of fire safety measures which councils plan to introduce following the Grenfell Tower fire has now reached at least £600 million.

The AA has launched a campaign to fight back against rampant ticketing by council and private parking enforcers.