Back

AC Local - Local government newsletter June 2025


Welcome to our latest newsletter. There is so much happening in local government at the moment
and our experts focus on some of the key issues in this newsletter.

My colleagues Claire Ward and Matt Marsh look at transitional arrangements for local government
reorganisation.

Raj Flora-Seehra explains commonhold and the Government’s plans to abolish the leasehold system.

Phil Scully explains the High Street Rental Auctions regime, introduced in late 2024, which is designed
to empower local authorities to being long vacant high street premises into productive use.

Richard Brooks has some tips on procuring when it comes to heat networks, leisure centres, electric
vehicle points and community transport.

Gayle Monk and Chanel Quigley focus on the obligations in the Procurement Act 2023 to remove/reduce
barriers for small and medium sized enterprises in procurement.

Alex Lawrence and Gayle Monk consider the Government’s Simpler Recycling initiative and in particular,
the requirements on councils in terms of household food waste collections.

Max Howarth looks at the Government’s proposals for a scheme of delegation that determines
at a national level which planning applications go to planning committee and which are determined
by officers.

Suzanne Gregson looks at how local authorities who are social landlords can prepare for Awaab’s law.

My colleague Sarah Harnett and I have been looking at the trade union reforms in the Employment
Rights Bill and we highlight some of the key changes.

We hope you enjoy this edition of the newsletter and that it is useful. Let us know if there are any
issues you want more information on or you want to talk through.

Matthew Gregson, partner.

AC Local – Local government newsletter June 2025

Transitional Arrangements for Local Government Reorganisation: Shadow Councils and Preparing Councils

Article by Claire Ward and Matt Marsh

Commonhold: the beginning of the end for the Leasehold system

Article by Raj Flora-Seehra

High Street Rental Auctions – A New Era for Vacant Properties

Read the article by Phil Scully

Are you making concessions? Procuring community infrastructure wisely…

Read the article by Richard Brooks

Small business, big impact

Read the article by Gayle Monk and Chanel Quigley

Simpler recycling – Food waste collections and more

Read the article by Gayle Monk and Alex Lawrence

Planning and Infrastructure Bill

Read the article by Max Howarth

How can social landlords prepare for Awaab’s Law?

Read the article by Suzanne Gregson

Briefing on the Employment Rights Bill – Focus on Key Changes to Trade Unions

Read the article by Matthew Gregson and Sarah Harnett

Visit our local government reorganisation hub

SECTOR LEAD

Matthew Gregson

Partner

Partner in the employment team