PUBLICATIONS

The Government has today announced decisions on the future unitaries for the areas of Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. The Government is yet to make a decision on the future of East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton on Hove due to concerns regarding all four of the proposals they received.

In this article, Christopher Kerr argues that while devolving power to regional mayors could unlock growth, it may also deepen deprivation along the coast unless coastal voices are built into decision-making from the start. From infrastructure gaps and poor health outcomes to the risks posed by local government reorganisation, Chris sets out four practical policy shifts needed to ensure devolution works for, not against, the UK’s coastline.

Economy, community and nature all need to work together. Christopher Kerr, our Head of ESG, says, “There is more to our growing blue economy than meets the eye,” highlighting the importance of balancing economic growth with thriving communities and healthy marine ecosystems.

October - December update providing key news relating to the local government reorganisation and devolution of the final quarter of 2025.

A new Davitt Jones Bould survey of over 100 senior local government real estate professionals has found that local government reorganisation (LGR), in which councils in two-tier areas – i.e. those governed at both County and District/Borough/City levels – will be replaced by a single-tier system of unitary authorities, will have a negative impact on regional estates management.

From the 10th-21st of November the 30th annual United Nations climate meeting took place in Belém Brazil. Our head of ESG Chris Kerr comments.

Head of ESG, Chris Kerr features in Local Government lawyer, responding to reports that the Government plans to curtail environmental protections in a bid to speed up infrastructure projects.

The following update provides you with the key news relating to local government reform (LGR) and devolution for the months of August and September.

The 338-page English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill was published on 10 July 2025, and is currently going through the parliamentary process. The Bill formalises much of the contents of the English Devolution White Paper, with some notable additions.

To facilitate national economic recovery, the Government has launched new legislation and policy1 designed to turbo-charge local economies. The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (“The Bill”) is the centrepiece to achieving this.

Head of ESG, Chris Kerr, features in BE News covering covering the tale of two crises - Nature vs Housing.

Head of ESG, Chris Kerr, features in BE News covering why the devolution white paper will have a significant impact on the real estate sector.

oday, the UK Governments (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) released the UK’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for 2030 (NBSAP).