Professional and legal news, opinions and advice

Property Week Professional

Welcome to Professional, for news and advice on business rates, planning, the public sector and more. If you have a Professional Advice question please email professional editor Richard at: richard.heap@ubm.com

Professional Advice

A number of my staff have expressed an interest in watching some of the daytime World Cup games whilst at work.

What’s the best way for me to handle this?

10:17 | 07.06.10

I'm worried about the rate of capital gains tax going up.

What should I be aware of?

16:36 | 25.05.10

I own a property which has been vacant for some time.

It probably needs to be refurbished before I can let it. Are there any tax incentives available for doing this?

17:14 | 21.05.10

I am the supervising officer on a project in early stages of construction.

I think that the structural concrete is defective. The contractor disagrees. Can I insist on it being ripped out and redone or even terminate the building contract?

15:23 | 21.05.10

more Professional Advice

Public Sector

HCA appoints Capita Symonds for barracks work

The Homes and Communities Agency has appointed Capita Symonds to provide advisory services on its proposed redevelopment of a Kent barracks.

10:47 | 18.05.10

Liverpool appoints GVA Grimley for regional land study

Local authorities in the Liverpool region have appointed GVA Grimley to undertake a review of the supply of development land in the region.

12:52 | 17.05.10

Departments target 10% carbon cuts in a year

Prime minister David Cameron has said that central government buildings will publish more energy data as they attempt to cut their emissions 10% over the next year.

13:03 | 14.05.10

ACES conference: Councils must look at selling property

Local authorities must push ahead with asset sales whether or not central government demands it, the president of the Association of Chief Estates Surveyors said today.

14:54 | 13.05.10

more Public Sector

Business Rates

London businesses back council rates change

Three quarters of London businesses say local authorities in the capital should be able to keep more of the money they raise in business rates.

09:36 | 22.03.10

Business rates appeals on the rise

The number of appeals against business rates has risen by 21% over the last two years, according to statistics obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.

10:08 | 16.03.10

Relief for 2010 revaluation’s biggest losers

The government has unveiled details of a scheme that will lessen the impact of big rises in business rates bills for some businesses after the 2010 revaluation

04.12.09

Edinburgh shops win £2m rates reprieve

Princes Street retailers claimed fall in trade because of tram construction

20.11.09

more Business Rates

Planning System

Conservatives expected to water down planning reform

The Conservative Party is expected to water down plans for a far-reaching overhaul of the planning system after entering a coalition with the Liberal Democrats.

11:15 | 12.05.10

PW LIVE: Tories propose competition test powers for councils

Local councils would be able to include a competition test in their local plans under changes to the planning system proposed by the Conservative Party.

14:10 | 27.04.10

RTPI backs government rural housing plan

The Royal Town Planning Institute has backed government plans to bypass the planning system for some affordable housing schemes in rural areas.

16:53 | 06.04.10

Quiz British Land's planning chief

Take your chance to quiz British Land’s planning chief on how the company will approach development at a time when positioning a company for economic growth has never been more important.

12:59 | 06.04.10

more Planning System

Sustainability