STORY
The Local Government Association has published new guidance designed to help councils attract private investment and support inclusive local growth. The report, produced by Henham Strategy, examines the barriers councils face when trying to turn local development ambitions into investment-ready propositions.
The guidance says there is appetite from institutional investors, pension funds, developers and businesses to invest in local projects, but that councils are not always perceived as ready for investment. It sets out how authorities can better understand investor priorities and structure propositions that align public value with private capital.
The publication follows the end of UK Shared Prosperity Fund financing in March 2026, which has left some councils without dedicated resource for investment activity. The LGA argues that better practical guidance can help councils move from general ambition to deliverable schemes that support local economies.