New platform launched to help councils navigate council-owned companies

The CCN says the site will provide a platform where professionals in the sector can learn about the commercial activities of other local authorities.

A page on the organisation's website says the CCN aims to host discussions on new ideas, share good practice, feature exemplary case studies, and identify the most significant challenges confronting English councils and council-owned companies.

Council company practitioners, councillors, senior officers, lawyers, accountants, policymakers, researchers, and other supporting services are able to join the network.

The CCN's management board includes Perry Holmes, Director of Legal & Governance at Wiltshire Council; Dr Ping Zheng, an academic at Canterbury Christ Church University and consultant specialising in business; Peter Ware, partner at Browne Jacobson; and Rob Hann, solicitor and former head of local government at Sharpe Pritchard.

According to the website, Wiltshire Council, Canterbury Christ Church University, and Browne Jacobson LLP have collaborated under the network "to establish a shared community and innovation ecosystem".

The "ecosystem" is "designed to facilitate the growth of council companies" and offer legal services to assist council governance and management practices, the CCN added.

Commenting on the launch, Robb Hann said: "This website and network is free to join and is the culmination of an effort to help councils develop best practice when establishing or operating through or with local authority companies.

"Those with an interest in local authority companies are invited to take a look at the new website and log onto the next virtual network session."

Peter Ware meanwhile said: "We hope (in due course) [the website] will be a great resource for those involved in local authority company work."

Adam Carey