Course focus

17th Annual Planning Law Conference

Date:
06 December 2010
Venue:
Royal College of Surgeons, London
CPD:
5.0

Training programmes

Charging Into Trading

Charging and trading by local authorities is highly topical as local authorities struggle to re-structure services to take account of straitened financial circumstances.  The Barnet “EasyJet” model of a local authority, in which the authority defines the mandatory minimum service which is provided free to all citizens, and charge citizens extra if they want to receive a higher level of service, is being promoted as the future of local government. But when can local authorities charge for services, and can they make a profit?

In this seminar, Peter Keith-Lucas will provide a clear pathway through a complex area of law, to provide a practical guide to charging and trading powers, and set out alternative approaches which local authorities may adopt. He will also describe the legal structures required, and the essential documents and processes for authorities who wish to trade. He will also suggest how trading need not be just a local authority game, but can be a useful form of partnership working with the private sector.

This course is designed to equip local authority lawyers to enable their authorities to trade safely, and will be of equal interest to non-lawyers considering developing trading activities.

Programme directory