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LGR TOOLKIT Local Government Reorganisation Toolkit launched by the LGA in collaboration with Local Partnerships
Facing the scale of change set out in the English Devolution White Paper, 21 areas are currently navigating Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). To support them, the LGA and Local Partnerships have launched the LGR toolkit—a central index of wisdom, checklists, and thematic guidance to simplify the path from proposal to Vesting Day.

Sarah-Joy Lewis
4 min read


MANAGING COMPLEX ESTATES
Managing complex mixed-use estates requires more than just reactive maintenance; it demands integrated strategic thinking. From navigating "net zero conundrums" to ensuring accounting transparency across diverse lease structures, discover how proactive asset management can protect capital value and ensure long-term resilience in a performance-driven market.

Andrew Morley
5 min read


BENTLEY MEMOIRS
From changing duvets in the Scottish Highlands to dodging selfie-takers in European caves, David Bentley recounts his latest "semi-retired" adventures. Discover why a sourdough starter named Lucy is his newest nemesis and why tomato ketchup might (or might not) be the secret to a clean dog.

David Bentley
13 min read


AI, APC AND CPD New RICS Guidance on RICS for APC candidates
As AI reshapes the surveying profession, RICS has introduced strict new frameworks. From the 2026 mandatory CPD to a "no-go" policy for APC submissions, discover how to stay compliant with the latest professional standards.

Jen Lemen
8 min read


CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Evolving expectations: RICS’ updated approach to CPD
Starting January 2026, RICS is shifting its CPD framework from simple hour-counting to a more intentional, reflective learning model. Learn about the new "structured" vs "unstructured" classifications and the three mandatory topics every member must complete.

Donna Best
2 min read


THE MATRICS COMMUNITY More than networking: Building the future through Matrics
Kirsty White, Matrics Engagement Lead at RICS, shares why supporting the next generation of surveyors is the best job in the world. Discover how the Matrics community provides a platform for early-career professionals to build confidence, gain leadership skills, and find a true sense of belonging.

Kirsty White
5 min read


PARKS AND PLAY AREAS 30 years of Green Flag Awards
Celebrating 30 years of the Green Flag Awards, Chris Worman MBE explores the history, global expansion, and community impact of the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

Chris Worman
6 min read


SOCIALISM A god in a Gannex
From the "long, hard road between Capitalism and Capitalism" to a chance encounter with Harold Wilson in a shaft of sunlight, Dave Pogson reflects on a lifetime of political inheritance. Explore a humorous and poignant journey through a family’s socialist lineage and the enduring struggle of voting for the first time in 1970.

Dave Pogson
9 min read
RENTCHARGES AND TITHES Understanding rentcharges and tithes in modern property transactions
Historic rights like rentcharges and tithes may seem like remnants of the past, but they can still complicate modern land sales and developments. From draconian remedies under s121 of the Law of Property Act 1925 to recent 2024 reforms, understanding these legal interests is essential for landowners, developers, and surveyors to ensure a smooth completion.
Bethan Williams and Martyna Green
6 min read


TRANSFER SLABS Transfer Slabs – Recent concerns and what you need to know
Recent warnings from the Building Safety Regulator and RICS have put transfer slabs under the spotlight. While no failures have been recorded, concerns regarding "punching shear" and a lack of consistent design methodology mean building owners and surveyors must act to identify and assess these structural elements.

Trevor Rushton
7 min read


THE BUILDING SAFETY ACT Clarity, accountability and better buildings
The Building Safety Act is the most significant suite of improvements to fire and safety regulations in living memory. From the "golden thread" of information to the new Gateway approval process, Watts Group explores how the industry is shifting toward long-term accountability and better buildings
Watts
9 min read


COMMUNITY PROJECT INFRASTRUCTURE The Cliff Gardens Project - or how not to retire
Transforming an unmade road into a Climate Change Educational Beach Garden sounds simple, but as John Morris discovers, it involves years of planning consent, road safety audits, and public inquiries.
John Morris
11 min read


NEW COMMUNITIES The modern day Bournville
As the government looks to a new era of new towns, Nigel Booen explores whether the 19th-century principles of Bournville can inspire today’s digital age. By anchoring 15-minute neighborhoods around modern industries like data centers and life sciences hubs, we can create sustainable, high-quality communities that solve the housing crisis while driving national productivity.

Nigel Booen
7 min read


AFFORDABLE HOUSING MODEL Presentation by Alan Richards and Melvyn Stone, with a ‘call to arms’ from Jackie Sadek
The UK is facing a devastating housing crisis with over 172,000 children in temporary accommodation. ACES leaders Alan Richards and Melvyn Stone propose a radical new "Affordable Housing Model" to bypass viability delays and accelerate the delivery of social rent homes.
Melvyn Stone and Alan Richards and Jackie Sadek
7 min read


MORE MUSINGS How good is your memory?
Thirty years ago, I was made redundant from a commercial practice in Norwich. What followed was a second journey that took me from a private office overlooking the Cathedral to a career in local government and a long-awaited academic victory.

Simon Eades
7 min read


BUILD TO RENT 2026 will test BTR’s potential and government’s resolve
As the UK faces intense demand for quality rental homes, 2026 marks a critical crossroads for the Build to Rent (BTR) sector. From planning reform to the Renters’ Rights Act, discover what will determine if BTR becomes a mainstream solution for the housing crisis.

Justine Edmonds
3 min read


COMMUNITY RIGHT TO BUY The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill’s Right to Buy
The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill promises to hand communities a new right to buy local assets, from empty pubs to shops. While the aim is to stimulate local pride and tackle high street decline, the policy echoes the "Community Right to Bid" introduced in 2011—a process that proved cumbersome and rarely successful. For this new initiative to be transformative rather than just a "well-meaning echo," the government must provide the funding and technical sup

Victoria Yeandle
4 min read


SHARED OWNERSHIP The missing middle: Why shared ownership must be central to affordable housing policy
Shared ownership is being sidelined by the government despite being a vital route for "the missing middle"—households who earn too much for social rent but not enough for the open market.

Peter Hawley
5 min read


MILTON KEYNES EVOLUTION Better by Design
Milton Keynes is undergoing a remarkable transformation from a post-war new town to a dynamic "Renewed Town." With plans for 60,000 new homes, a cutting-edge Mass Rapid Transit system, and a £15bn tech-driven economy, the city is setting a new standard for sustainable urban development in the UK.

Paul Thomas
6 min read


RICS UNIVERSITY OPEN DAYS Opening doors to the profession: Highlights from the 2025 RICS University Open Days
RICS recently opened its doors to the next generation of surveying professionals for its first-ever University Open Days. From interactive ethics sessions and "day in the life" talks to exclusive tours of the historic London headquarters, discover how this new initiative is helping students find their place within the global surveying community.

Danni Foster
6 min read
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