The Government has launched the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) in a bid to accelerate the delivery of major government projects.

The National Audit Office (NAO) has issued a report outlining the lessons to be learned from more than 140 of its publications with relevance to the use of private finance for infrastructure.

The Infrastructure and Projects Authority has issued technical guidance for PFI contract senior responsible owners and contract managers in England to help them identify signs of PFI project distress.

A new report by think-tank Localis has warned that the delivery of a successful Local Power Plan will require “concerted action” across all levels of government, including the production of legislation to “formalise” local area energy planning, and investment in local government skills programmes.

Law firm Sharpe Pritchard has advised Stoke-on-Trent City Council in procuring a contract for an energy from waste facility in Hanford.

Law firm Trowers & Hamlins has advised Birmingham City Council on a regeneration scheme that will deliver around 3,500 new homes to the Druids Heath area.

Law firm Geldards has advised Nottingham City Council on a £12.6m contract with Balfour Beatty for the construction of a new landmark bridge across the River Trent to improve sustainability links and connectively across the city.

A national scheme of delegation setting out which types of applications should be determined by officers and which should go to committee, controls over the size of planning committees that will see “unwieldy” committees banned, and mandatory training for planning committee members are among the reforms set out in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill introduced in Parliament today (11 March).

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced plans to establish 75 'neighbourhood boards' with powers to decide on how to spend up to £20m in funding in their areas.

The Government has accepted all 58 recommendations in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s final report, and will introduce a new single construction regulator “to ensure those responsible for building safety are held to account”.

Law firm Bevan Brittan has advised the East Sussex Joint Waste Partnership – which consists of Hastings Borough, Rother District and Wealden District councils – on a seven-year extension and variation with Biffa related to services including waste collection, street and beach cleansing.