21 July 2016 
Karel Thomas, Executive Director
Buildings and estates issues are never far from the limelight at the moment, with a renewed interest at the highest levels in the power of construction projects to boost economic growth. This week the Financial Times reported, “British universities have ramped up their spending on new buildings by 43 per cent in the past six months, compared with the previous year, in the race to expand campuses and draw lucrative foreign students.” Kevin Richardson, Local Growth Consultant for HEFCE has established a Linked-In group for those interested in new forms of funding [for infrastructure projects], “which require local anchor institutions to think and act very differently when compared to traditional grant regimes”. Kevin is also running two events to discuss Integrated Finances for Strategic Infrastructures & Sites in London on 7th September and New Forms of Funding: From Grants to Loans in Sheffield on 14th September. Spaces are limited, but BUFDG and AUDE are working with Kevin to promote his work, so you will be able to hear from him in many forums over the next few months.
Meanwhile, colleagues at UniversitiesUK are working hard with Gerald Eve and the VOA on the 2017 ratings revaluations exercise and have issued a project update. The project, led and supported by UUK and GuildHE and funded by AUDE and BUFDG, aims to deliver “a more equitable and contained increase in rate liabilities to the sector than might otherwise be imposed, via informed challenge and collective negotiation.” The strategic significance of business rates and the local growth agenda will be a topic of conversation and debate at the next Northern Regional Finance Directors’ meeting in Leeds on 14th October.
