CIPFA’s review of Halton Council concludes that its financial position is unsustainable, with the structural budget gap projected to widen sharply over the next four years. The report says exceptional financial support may provide short-term relief, but only a credible transformation plan, including savings, income generation and possible asset disposals, will address the underlying pressures.
An investigation reported that more than 100 homes across the royal estates of King Charles and Prince William are rated below current EPC standards, with around 20% of the sampled domestic lets on the duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall and the Sandringham estate rated F or G. The article says some properties may fall outside the scope of current MEES rules because of tenancy type or start date, while the estates state they are compliant and continue to invest in improvements.
Bolton Council is introducing a new licensing scheme that will bring nearly all HMOs in the borough into licensing control, with full operation expected in early 2027. The council says the scheme is intended to improve property conditions and management standards, while landlords face a five-year licence fee of £1,211 per property and potential civil penalties of up to £40,000 for non-compliance.
The Regulator of Social Housing has placed Rentplus Homes Limited under review amid concerns about possible serious failings. Rentplus operates a Rent to Buy model, acquiring homes built under Section 106 agreements and leasing them to housing associations before eventual sale to tenants.
The Planning Inspectorate has published updated advice on using Evidence Plans for Habitats Regulations Assessments in Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). The guidance explains how applicants can agree information requirements early with statutory nature conservation bodies to support Development Consent Order applications and reduce delays linked to habitats compliance, while noting that the annex will be updated to reflect the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025.
This Planning Inspectorate annex explains the Environment Agency’s role in the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project process and how applicants should engage with it alongside the Development Consent Order regime. It highlights the need to consider environmental permits, consents and licences early to avoid delays, and notes that the annex will be updated to reflect changes introduced by the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025.
The Planning Inspectorate has published an annex to its infrastructure planning advice note explaining the Health and Safety Executive’s role in the planning process. It sets out HSE’s statutory consultation functions for hazardous development, consultation distances around major hazard sites, and the availability of a web app for checking whether land falls within a consultation zone. The annex is noted as not yet reflecting changes introduced by the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 and will be updated in due course.
Mansell Building Solutions, an Oldham-based light gauge steel frame and MMC specialist, has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators after citing prolonged difficult trading conditions and cash-flow pressures linked to project delays. The company, which has recently invested in a new headquarters and factory, says it remains proud of its modern methods of construction approach despite the sector headwinds.
This Planning Inspectorate annex explains the role of Natural Resources Wales in the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project process, including its functions as a consultee, statutory party and potential issuer of additional permits, consents or licences. It also notes that the document is out of date in parts and will be updated to reflect changes introduced by the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025.
The Planning Inspectorate has published Annex C to Advice Note 11 to explain how Natural England works with applicants and the Inspectorate during the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) process. The note highlights Natural England’s advisory role on environmental matters, including EIA, Habitats Regulations, SSSI protection, protected species licensing, agricultural land, and landscape issues, and says the annex will be updated to reflect changes introduced by the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025.
Lawrence Kenwright, founder of the collapsed Signature Group, has accepted a five-year director disqualification after the Insolvency Service found he failed to ensure proper stewardship and governance at Signature Works Gold Limited. The company had distributed misleading investment material implying investors would obtain a legal interest in three Liverpool properties, despite not holding registered freehold or leasehold interests in them.
Reported rental fraud across England and Wales has fallen over the past three years, but the financial harm per case has increased sharply. Total losses have risen despite fewer reports, indicating that individual incidents are becoming more costly for victims.
