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Richard Gawthorpe of the Norse Group argues that facing a new reality of financial pressure and reorganisation, local authorities must shift their mindset from viewing public estates as liabilities to seeing them as engines of fiscal resilience and growth. He advocates for bold leadership, strategic repurposing (like converting offices to housing), and using innovative financing tools like joint ventures to generate revenue while retaining strategic control.

Chris Brain, FRICS, demystifies Section 114 notices, explaining their origins in the 1985 rate-capping rebellion and clarifying that they are a measure to prevent, not signify, council bankruptcy. He details the severe financial pressures on UK local authorities due to external forces and increased demand for services, contrasting media portrayals with the true purpose and implications of a Section 114 notice.