A scheme to improve the Old Market Square in Nottingham has won one of the country’s top architectural prizes. The scheme, described by the City Council as pivotal to the regeneration of Nottingham has won a Royal Institute of British Architects Award, which go to schemes that show high architectural standards and make a substantial contribution to the local environment.
The Square is one of the oldest and largest public squares in the UK and the redevelopment was unveiled a year ago. 

The money available for Planning Aid, which is designed to ensure people have the advice, skills and professional support they need to have their say over planning applications, is to be extended. The announcement has been made by the Communities and Local Government Secretary, Hazel Blears, and comes after criticism that proposals in the Planning Reform Bill now going through the Commons, would make the planning process less democratic. 

This report from the thinktank Policy Exchange, examines the highly controversial recommendation of the Freud report on ‘WelfareTo Work’ that employment services should be contracted out.
The Policy Exchange analysis of other countries’ experiences leads to the conclusion that contracting out employment services could slash unemployment and save the taxpayer over a billion pounds a year.