Local Power

Keeping a check on local government spending and its effect on UK communities

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16 network members working on this investigation

100 local stories published as part of this investigation

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21 open resources used in this investigation

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Highlights from the Investigation

22.05.20

Local Power

Council borrowed £1bn from taxpayers to bet on British sunshine

Thurrock council has borrowed more than £1bn from other local authorities

10.07.20

Local Power

Thurrock mystery continues as council won’t say where more than £100m has gone

Council has continued to invest in renewable energy but the process lacks transparency

25.06.20

Local Power

Council gives WeWork £4.5m rent holiday as Covid crunch hits

Spelthorne borough council, which borrowed £1bn to spend on commercial property investments, has allowed a major tenant to put off paying millions in rent

10.06.20

Local Power

Spelthorne council leader who made billion-pound bet on property market ousted

After the Bureau exposed the council's risky investment strategy, Conservative councillors have voted to replace their leader

Local Power

Highlights from the Investigation

Council borrowed £1bn from taxpayers to bet on British sunshine

Thurrock mystery continues as council won’t say where more than £100m has gone

Council gives WeWork £4.5m rent holiday as Covid crunch hits

Spelthorne council leader who made billion-pound bet on property market ousted

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