Call: 07545 641204Email: jr@jrc.org.uk

Local Government Projects

Local authority governance and funding – Telford & Wrekin Council

Activities included in FoI reply:
  • changes to New Towns regeneration policy (where lobbying was endorsed by the Audit Commission)
  • success in attracting external funding to help support major regeneration projects in the area
  • changes to precepting arrangements for Combined Fire Authorities that generated ongoing financial benefit to the Council
  • establishment of a ‘Growth Group’ of other authorities where populations are growing rapidly
  • changes to the grant system to use more up to date population data which helps areas with fast growing populations
  • continuing activity on ONS migration statistics, where lobbying is the only way to get concerns addressed
  • issues with the financial damping mechanism used by Government.
“The Council has received considerable benefits from lobbying activity”.
Telford & Wrekin Council, September 2007
  • Jonathan Roberts led a local government consultancy team who worked with the chief executive and corporate group at Telford & Wrekin Council during 2001-09.
  • The consultancy gave advice to officers and members who lobbied on behalf of the people of Telford & Wrekin.
  • The town is a major growth point in the West Midlands, affected by strategic issues involving regional and central government.
  • Recent projects included:
    • funding for stabilisation of Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site
    • advice to Telford Defence Support Group, to achieve retention and investment in the area’s military bases
    • guidance on public policy issues arising from NHS proposals to change the regional hospital services.
  • The Council’s reply to a 2007 FoI request shows the benefits of the consultancy service (highlights opposite).


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Specialist advice – London Borough of Barking & Dagenham

  • This supported council priorities and funding objectives, and included:
    • approval and funding for Docklands Light Railway extension to Barking Reach and Dagenham
    • Greater London budgets
    • specification and timescale of East London Transit
    • evidence to Thames Gateway Bridge public inquiry
    • bidding for Local Enterprise Growth Initiative funding
    • preparations for the 2012 London Olympic Games.
  • Jonathan Roberts led on the transport elements of a broader programme of monitoring and specialist project work for Barking & Dagenham Council, during 2005-07.












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Other local authority clients in 2003-2013 include:

  • Milton Keynes Council
    – central government and regional funding for housing growth and infrastructure, and influencing the charging structure of a new developer ‘roof tax’, during 2005-07.
  • North London Strategic Alliance (Barnet, Enfield, Haringey and Waltham Forest Councils)
    – stakeholder consultation in 2005 on proposals for widening the North Circular Road past Bounds Green
    - 2013 Business Case submission to Greater London LEP for £25m funding for Lea Valley railway Third Tracking.
  • Southwark Council
    - JRC advice in 2009 on station redesign at Queens Road Peckham to embrace public realm as well as railway elements.
  • Tower Hamlets Council
    - JRC drafting support for 2012 Diamond Jubilee City Status bid.


  • Enfield Council
    - continuing specialist advice including:
    -
    train service development on Metro and Lea Valley routes
    - 2012 Access for All bid for new lifts at Edmonton Green station
    - 2013 Angel Road business case submission to Greater London LEP
  • Lewisham Council
    - JRC report in 2010, and later update, on policy background and project case for Bakerloo Line extension SE from Elephant & Castle.
  • Local Transport Plan 2006-11
    – advice on managing stakeholder and public consultation in 2004-05 for the new LTP 2006-11, for two local transport authorities – Centro (West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive), and Surrey County Council.
  • Medway Council
    – advice on sustaining opposition to Cliffe Airport multi-runway proposal in 2003 during development of Airports White Paper, and consultation into local communities and London region businesses about the merits and disadvantages of a new London airport at Cliffe,
    and again in 2012-13, this time with JRC specialist support via College Hill/Instinctif (the main consultancy to Medway).

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