b'Foreword by Justin Mendelle, Senior Partner, Sharpe Pritchard LLP Sharpe Pritchard LLP is delighted to assist Rob Hann with the updating of this work. The Guide to Local Authority Charging & Trading Powers (2021 on-line edition) is a comprehensive collection of the powers and duties which provide the stepping stones across the legal minefield of charging for a service and/or setting up a commercial trading venture. With previous editions it is apparent that local authorities have found this work very helpful. It has saved them the laborious and time-consuming task of searching out a relevant power or duty from scratch. Whilst further research may be needed, the material in this work will greatly assist practitioners and laypersons alike to investigate whether existing charging regimes impact. Once the power has been located, the methodology of its use comes into play and the process comes to fruition. The use of powers and duties for income-generation purposes should not be approached lightly as the consequences for error remain significant. However, with aids such as this guide, much of the hard work is removed from the process and the task becomes more manageable. This edition includes a new chapter (Chapter 1) which suggests a methodology of how a local authority might approach the task of raising more income from its diverse activities and functions.Sharpe Pritchard LLP believe that local authorities should be able to generate more income at local level but that all charges must be levied lawfully and comply with any relevant enabling statutory code in existence. The task of identifying whether such a statutory code exists is sometimes difficult and time-consuming. This Guide greatly assists that search. We hope, therefore, that this work will stimulate local authorities to carefully consider the possibilities and push forward new schemes within the proper confines and parameters of pre-existing law. Sharpe Pritchard LLP are delighted that Rob Hann has joined the firm as Head of Local Government. Rob will lead the firms new Sharpe Edge offering which, amongst other things, provides unique and free on-line access to this work and direct access to Rob in the event of queries arising on powers to generate income for local government. Although local authorities do now benefit from the General Power of Competence contained within the Localism Act 2011, it is still important for them to be able to locate and understand the specific powers which allow them to undertake and raise additional income from a range of activitiessomething which is becoming increasingly popular within these continuous difficult times of austerity. We hope that this concise and accessible work will allow local authorities to consider fully what they can do in a way which is lawful and supports effective governance. Justin Mendelle, Senior Partner, Sharpe PritchardJanuary 20217'