With pressures from COVID-19, changes to official investment guidance and some recent negative media reports regarding council commercial activity, there is a risk that local authorities may reduce innovation and commercial approaches.
Involving the community has helped create a country park shortlisted for a national award.
Combining a strategic location with public and private investment and the story of a real place has helped create jobs and bring derelict land back into use.
Local authorities are developing new and innovative ways to generate income, to ensure services are sustainable.
Councillors need to consider carefully the risks of commercial investments – as well as the potential impacts of not investing.
Councils are becoming more commercial, but need to keep social value at the heart of their work