Ebriefings

The wildfires in Corfu have been a brutal reality check to much of the world’s press and public this past week.

The Government’s guidance on using the Sourcing Playbook in conjunction with framework agreements raised a few eyebrows in our office. The guidance is intended mainly for Central Government and mandatory only for Central Government contracts.

Two reports published recently have again put local authority commercial ventures under the spotlight and serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of inadequate risk appreciation and poor governance.

With schools out (or soon to be) and the sound of ice cream vans in the air, feel free to grab a cuppa, kick back in the sunshine (ever the optimist!) and peruse our latest charity newsletter.

The big news for charities this month has been the implementation of further provisions of the Charities Act 2022. However, this important news should not overshadow or distract from several other significant developments in the sector.

Does a sick, suspended employee get paid sick pay (as per sickness policy) or full pay (as per disciplinary policy)? Croydon London Borough Council (the council) decided the latter was correct. A costly decision to the tune of £15,000 in an unlawful deduction of wages claim (to say nothing of legal fees etc).

In James Waste v Essex County Council, the High Court decided that a change to a waste contract was not substantial under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR). The judgment gives rare and valuable guidance on some of the tests to be applied to decide how far a contract can be modified without a new procurement being needed.

The Renters (Reform) Bill (the Bill) brings landmark rental reforms that, if passed, will have significant implications for landlords and tenants across England.

We analysed the proposed changes in June 2022 but they are now further re-organised and amended. Set out below is a summary of the new grounds and explanatory notes to the Bill. Bear in mind the Bill is of course subject to amendment whilst working its way through Parliament.

The Renters (Reform) Bill (the Bill) sets out the proposed fundamental changes to the assured/assured shorthold tenancy regime in England. One of the less high-profile changes set out in the Bill is to the operation of rent reviews.

With a new King on the throne (and plenty of bank holidays to boot), there are changes in the charities’ world too – welcome to the May charities newsletter.

The long-awaited Renters (Reform) Bill has finally been presented by the Government to Parliament and had its first reading in the House of Commons on 17 May 2023, bringing with it the most extensive reform to residential tenancies in England for decades and significant implications for all private sector and social landlords.