With the 2026 Rating List approaching, property professionals must prepare for significant shifts in business rates. From a 19.2% increase in total Rating List value to new multipliers for the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors, Chris Grose provides a comprehensive rundown of the upcoming implications for both public and private sector bodies.

Councils are facing a "crowded list of priorities" as they balance severe funding pressures with national mandates for housing and net zero. This summary of the 2026 "Unlocking the Public Estate" report explores practical steps for local authorities to transform their portfolios despite limited capacity and data gaps.

With residential housing delivery at its lowest point in years and a "crisis" declared in London, unlocking stalled schemes requires more than just meeting policy. Expert Anneka Lewis explores why early collaboration between developers, Registered Providers, and specialists is essential to bridge the viability gap and ensure schemes are both deliverable and manageable in a challenging 2026 market.

Due to take effect in October 2026, the Building Safety Levy (BSL) introduces new costs for residential developers across England. From local authority rates to the "triple challenge" facing high-rise schemes, Chris Hemmings examines how this levy—combined with second staircase requirements—impacts development viability and the government’s housing targets.

Drawing from 16 years of experience at Cornwall Council, Adam Birchall explores the complexities of asset transfer during Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). He challenges the idea of simply "speeding up" devolution, advocating instead for a mutual, two-way process of trust that aligns property assets with community needs.

The landscape of local government in England is undergoing its most ambitious reorganization in over 30 years. With the introduction of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, new Strategic Authorities are set to gain autonomy over planning, transport, and housing. Through case studies in Hartlepool and Stockport, we examine whether these new powers and funding structures can truly accelerate urban regeneration and solve regional disparities.

As the UK faces competing demands for housing, energy, and nature, land is becoming our most finite resource. Jeremy Moody, Secretary of the CAAV, explores the "extraordinary" policy shifts—from "Grey Belt" development to the 30x30 nature commitment—that are reshaping the British landscape and challenging traditional farming.

Explore the evolving landscape of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and natural capital from a local government perspective. This article outlines legal structures, the shift toward conservation covenants, and the unique opportunities for local authorities in habitat restoration and nutrient neutrality.

Council spending on temporary accommodation has soared to £2.8bn annually, leaving many local authorities under immense financial strain. Kim Grievson and Hannah Velani explore the human and economic costs of this crisis and highlight innovative modular and "eco pod" solutions being pioneered across the UK.

Fewer than 40% of local planning authorities have up-to-date plans. As the government pushes for faster plan-making alongside local government reorganisation, Nick Diment examines if these two objectives can be reconciled without compromising quality.

Choosing the right RICS APC pathway is critical for your success. Discover the differences between popular sectors like Commercial Real Estate and Building Surveying, and learn how to avoid common competency pitfalls that could lead to an invalid submission.

ACES members gathered at the historic Guildhall in Bath for the 2025 National Conference, exploring how local authorities can unlock the full potential of public land while navigating the challenges of biodiversity net gain and local government reform. Expert speakers and panel discussions highlighted innovation, collaboration, and the crucial role of property professionals in shaping a more sustainable, resilient public estate.

Retired ACES Member Steve Howe and his wife Ann spent four memorable nights at Cuillich Mill, a recommended B&B near Inverness, owned by David and Leila Bentley. Discover the itinerary that took them along the stunning West Coast Drumbeg Loop, to Dunrobin Castle, and to Chanonry Point to watch dolphins, all based on the fantastic local advice and hospitality they received.

Dr Steven Norris, Executive Director at Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH), summarises the findings of the 6th annual LSH/Revo survey, which confirms that successful town centre revitalization must look "beyond retail." The top initiative identified by respondents is the provision of new mixed-tenure homes (for the first time), followed by repurposing vacant retail space. The report also shows strong support for devolution and consistently ranks joint ventures/public-private partner

Kim Grieveson of Avison Young outlines the significant opportunity presented by the UK's AI Growth Zones initiative, backed by £600m in dedicated funding, with Culham Campus, Abingdon as the first location. She argues that for long-term success, these zones must be designed not just for technological advancement, but as catalysts for sustainable regeneration, requiring integration with net zero targets, renewable energy, and regional economic inclusion.

Semi-retired former CIPFA Head of Asset Management David Bentley concludes the second part of his New Zealand travelogue, featuring a visit to Dunedin (the "Edinburgh of the South") and a stop at Queenstown, the self-proclaimed adventure capital of the world, where he opted for Parkrun and a bike ride instead of bungee jumping. The article concludes with a humorous look at his "retirement" running a Scottish Highlands B&B and an "ultra hike" to a potentially haunted bothy nea

A High Court decision concerning Arnolds Field in Havering has significantly impacted how local authorities must determine contaminated land. Rob Biddlecombe explains that the court confirmed smoke from on-site fires can constitute a "pathway" under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The successful judicial review by a residents' group highlights the increased pressure on local authorities to adhere strictly to legislation, guidance, and sufficient data collec

Kim Grieveson of Avison Young led an ACES National Conference panel discussing how to attract and retain young talent in public sector real estate. The discussion, featuring voices from academia and local government, highlighted barriers like the "local authority badge" perception and suggested solutions like ACES-coordinated university presence, promoting work-life balance and work breadth, and the development of pan-local authority graduate schemes.

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 introduced a new "failure to prevent fraud" corporate criminal offense, effective September 1, 2025. Legal experts Emma Tubb and Daniel Irving review the strict liability offense, which applies to large organizations (including public bodies) that fail to prevent an associated person from committing fraud to benefit the organization. The article outlines the six guiding principles for implementing reasonable fraud prevent

Glen Richardson of Carter Jonas, who helped create the Central Abingdon Regeneration Framework, explains why rivers are crucial for breathing life back into communities. He argues that while rivers were once used for transportation, they are now vital cultural and natural assets that drive wellbeing and income. The key to successful river regeneration, as seen in Abingdon and Newcastle, lies in reconnecting town centres to the waterfront and strategically managing challenges