Local Government Projects

Local authority governance and funding – Telford & Wrekin Council

Activities included in FoI reply:

changes to New Towns regeneration policy (where lobbying was endorsed by the Audit Commission)
success in attracting external funding to help support major regeneration projects in the area
changes to precepting arrangements for Combined Fire Authorities that generated ongoing financial benefit to the Council
establishment of a ‘Growth Group’ of other authorities where populations are growing rapidly
changes to the grant system to use more up to date population data which helps areas with fast growing populations
continuing activity on ONS migration statistics, where lobbying is the only way to get concerns addressed
issues with the financial damping mechanism used by Government.

“The Council has received considerable benefits from lobbying activity”.
Telford & Wrekin Council, September 2007

Jonathan Roberts led a local government consultancy team who worked with the chief executive and corporate group at Telford & Wrekin Council during 2001-09.
The consultancy gave advice to officers and members who lobbied on behalf of the people of Telford & Wrekin.
The town is a major growth point in the West Midlands, affected by strategic issues involving regional and central government.
Recent projects included:
- funding for stabilisation of Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site
- advice to Telford Defence Support Group, to achieve retention and investment in the area’s military bases
- guidance on public policy issues arising from NHS proposals to change the regional hospital services.
The Council’s reply to a 2007 FoI request shows the benefits of the consultancy service (highlights opposite).

Specialist advice – London Borough of Barking & Dagenham

Jonathan Roberts led on the transport elements of a broader programme of monitoring and specialist project work for Barking & Dagenham Council, during 2005-07.

Other local authority clients in 2003-2013 include:

Milton Keynes Council
– central government and regional funding for housing growth and infrastructure, and influencing the charging structure of a new developer ‘roof tax’, during 2005-07.
North London Strategic Alliance (Barnet, Enfield, Haringey and Waltham Forest Councils)
– stakeholder consultation in 2005 on proposals for widening the North Circular Road past Bounds Green
- 2013 Business Case submission to Greater London LEP for £25m funding for Lea Valley railway Third Tracking.
Southwark Council
- JRC advice in 2009 on station redesign at Queens Road Peckham to embrace public realm as well as railway elements.
Tower Hamlets Council
- JRC drafting support for 2012 Diamond Jubilee City Status bid.

Enfield Council
- continuing specialist advice including:
- train service development on Metro and Lea Valley routes
- 2012 Access for All bid for new lifts at Edmonton Green station
- 2013 Angel Road business case submission to Greater London LEP
Lewisham Council
- JRC report in 2010, and later update, on policy background and project case for Bakerloo Line extension SE from Elephant & Castle.
Local Transport Plan 2006-11
– advice on managing stakeholder and public consultation in 2004-05 for the new LTP 2006-11, for two local transport authorities – Centro (West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive), and Surrey County Council.
Medway Council
– advice on sustaining opposition to Cliffe Airport multi-runway proposal in 2003 during development of Airports White Paper, and consultation into local communities and London region businesses about the merits and disadvantages of a new London airport at Cliffe, and again in 2012-13, this time with JRC specialist support via College Hill/Instinctif (the main consultancy to Medway).