Next Generation Partners

Local government in West Midlands

Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP

Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP has a strong track record in reorganisations, the green agenda and numerous development projects in the education sector, and acts for notable clients that include key city councils. Matthew Gregson helms the practice, with vast experience in advising on senior-level departures and grievance and disciplinary issues within local authorities. Mark Cook is a key contact; his capabilities include handling joint ventures and income structures for councils. In addition, Sandy Munroe advises on local government property matters, such as disposals, the construction of new schools and regeneration projects, while Richard Brooks is experienced in working with clients on projects, construction, IT and energy matters pertaining to the local government space. Olwen Brown is recommended for her wide-ranging public sector experience; she has recently moved into a consultancy role at the firm. Associate Gayle Monk advises clients on various issues, including public procurement and subsidy control. In February 2022, Steven Brunning joined the team from an in-house role at Inzpire and Paul Slinger joined from Wright Hassall LLP, while in March of the same year, Claire Ward arrived from Herefordshire Council.

Practice head(s):

Matthew Gregson


Other key lawyers:

Mark Cook; Sandy Munroe; Richard Brooks; Olwen Brown; Gayle Monk; Claire Ward; Steven Brunning; Paul Slinger; Alex Lawrence


Key clients

Coventry City Council


Shropshire Council


Worcestershire County Council


Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council


North Northamptonshire Council


West Northamptonshire Council


Leicester City Council


Borough Council of Kings Lynn & West Norfolk


Mid Devon District Council


Somerset County Council


Newark and Sherwood District Council


The Barnet Group


Newcastle City Council


Cumbria County Council


Childrens Commissioning Consortium Cymru – (4C’s hosted by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council)


Oxford City Council


Work highlights


  • Instructed by Somerset County Council in respect of the reorganisation of local government in Somerset (bringing five councils into a single entity), which is one of only three such reorganisations taking place nationwide having been approved by the Government.
  • Instructed by Newcastle City Council in relation to £27.5m of funding received from the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to be utilised to provide low-carbon heating and other energy efficient measures across 32 sites.
  • Instructed to advise Shropshire Council in relation to the Shrewsbury North West Relief Road which is a significant project (investment circa £90m) and an ambitious development to the historical market town Shrewsbury.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP

Providing an ‘insightful, collaborative, pragmatic’ service, Trowers & Hamlins LLP is capable of handling commercial and property projects; some key areas of work for the firm include the refinancing of operational contracts, investment vehicles for local authorities and various advisory matters, alongside large-scale regeneration projects. The practice is jointly led by the ‘technically brilliant’ Amardeep Gill, who has expertise in advising on transactions and pathfinder projects, and Chris Plumley, whose practice includes property regeneration and development work in the public sector; he is also rated ‘very highly’ by clients. Associate Louis Sebastian adds value to the practice, with recent experience in handling matters in sectors such as digital technology, supply contracts and leisure.

Practice head(s):

Amardeep Gill; Chris Plumley


Other key lawyers:

Louis Sebastian


Testimonials

‘Trowers offers an insightful, collaborative, pragmatic, and switched-on legal support hub to its client’s. They are interested in genuinely “getting under the bonnet” of a service/ directorate to identify the key issues through the malaise.’

‘I have found their practical approach incredibly useful. Trowers understands their client base and the space within which we orbit. This insight is invaluable.’

‘Amardeep Gill is not only technically brilliant but leads from the heart and with purpose. His genuine interest in getting to live and breathe his client experience is key to identifying the pressures, pitfalls and solutions.’

‘Trowers are particularly strong in advising the public sector on development and regeneration.’

‘I rate Chris Plumley very highly. He brings a significant breadth of interest to projects that goes well beyond the legal advice he is there to provide, and I feel this adds to the quality of his advice and how we interact on projects.’

‘The team are focused on delivering results for their clients, their proactive advice has been reassuring, strategic and also timely. They are innovative in their approach and are ‘solution focused’, in particular they are aware of the local government market and can share lessons with the Council on how to approach difficult subjects, what works and what doesn’t work. Recommended without reservation.’

‘Amardeep Gill is always approachable, friendly and easy to talk to. His approach isn’t the usual client/lawyer approach, he sees our problem/issue as his problem/issue. Amardeep is a trusted and safe pair of hands, it has been a pleasure to work with him.’

‘Louis Sebastian has been exceptional in that he has provided expert advice and support on a wide range of issues and in tight timescales.’

Key clients

Birmingham City Council


Urban Growth & Solihull MBC


Wiltshire Council, Gravesham Council, Gloucester Council, Cheltenham Council, East Cambridgeshire Council, Bath & North East Somerset Council and Stevenage Council


London Borough of Hounslow


Nottingham County Council


West Midlands Combined Authority


Wirral Council


Kent County Council


West Midlands Combined Authority


Kent County Council


Cheltenham Borough Council


Rutland County Council


Leisure Outsourcing – Various Public Sector clients


Plymouth City Council


East Hampshire District Council


Wolverhampton City Council, Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole, Rother DC, RB Windsor & Maidenhead, West Northamptonshire and Leicester City Council


Work highlights


  • Advised Birmingham City Council on its capacity as Host City for the Commonwealth Games, replacing an existing provider and continuing to support on delivering legacy projects for local residents.
  • Advised Urban Growth Company and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council on a large regeneration scheme. The scheme will evolve into 4000 homes, offices, retail, leisure, a new major medical facility and new transport links. This will also include multi-storey car parking.
  • Advised West Midlands Combined Authority on a number of complex and pathfinder projects; this includes the development and installation of software for tracking transport across the region, the development of a mobile app aimed to improve customer service for travel around the West Midlands, and advising Transport for West Midlands in relation to a 70-day contingency plan for workplace and spectator access to the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

Bevan Brittan LLP

Bevan Brittan LLP‘s key areas of work include disputes, managing the expiry of PFI/PPP contracts, climate change response, health and safety and children’s services. The practice is led by Ash Woodcock, who routinely handles public procurement projects, with Rebecca Pendlebury specialising in regeneration schemes. Adam Kendall strengthens the team with experience in commercial litigation, as well as health and safety and wider criminal regulatory matters, whilst Kirtpal Kaur Aujla‘s strengths include handling service restructuring and outsourcing, among others within the fields of education, leisure and health and social care.

Practice head(s):

Ash Woodcock


Other key lawyers:

Rebecca Pendlebury; Adam Kendall; Kirtpal Kaur Aujla


Testimonials

‘The team are accessible and, most importantly, understand local government. Not all private practice firms have sufficient political awareness – knowing your audience is critical in local government and Bevan Brittan are skilled in that.’

‘They are approachable and are able to explain complex legal issues to a variety of audiences, in particular elected members.’

Key clients

The County Council of the City and County of Cardiff


Reading Borough Council


City of Bradford Metropolitan Borough Council


Warwickshire County Council


Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council


Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council


Walsall Council


Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council


North Yorkshire County Council


Birmingham City Council


Warrington Borough Council


Work highlights


  • Advising Birmingham City Council on their £500m new Waste PPP Project and delivery of their future waste management strategy.
  • Advising the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council on the establishment of the Bradford Children and Families Trust following the Secretary of State for Education’s Statutory Direction.
  • Advising Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council on Acting for the Council on the variations required to a 2005 Agreement with Centro (now WMCA) to enable the extension of the Metro to Dudley.

Browne Jacobson LLP

A team commended for giving ‘a high-quality service’, Browne Jacobson LLP‘s practice encompasses property investments, governance and environmental issues, to name a few. Ben Standing specialises in planning matters, whilst Zo Hoida has expertise in handling regeneration and development projects. Thomas Howard routinely handles acquisitions and disposals in the public and private spheres, with particular capabilities in relation to health and social care. Matthew Harpin adds considerable experience and expertise to the team, while the ‘highly knowledgeable’ associate Victoria Searle handles matters for local authorities that involve administrative, environmental and planning law.

Practice head(s):

Ben Standing; Zo Hoida; Thomas Howard; Matthew Harpin


Other key lawyers:

Victoria Searle


Testimonials

‘Quick response times, accurate advice and reliable, high-quality service’

‘Victoria Searle: excellent communicator, highly knowledgeable, passionate about the work and completely reliable.’

‘The social care claims team is second to none.’ 

‘The entire team are knowledgeable, approachable and helpful.’

‘They have worked with us to scope and quote for work on projects when we have not been entirely sure what we need from them, including working with other specialist firms in order to meet our needs.’

Key clients

London Borough of Croydon


Lichfield District Council


Thurrock Council


Dacorum Borough Council


Oxford City Council


Sedgemoor District Council


Shropshire Council


Bath & North East Somerset


Staffordshire County Council


High Peak Borough Council


London Borough of Sutton


Harlow District Council


Work highlights


DWF

A ‘professional, coordinated team’, DWF handles a broad array of matters, ranging from breaches of the Human Rights Act and abuse claims to governance and real estate advice. A key area of work for the firm is in public procurement, alongside acting on regeneration and infrastructure projects for local authorities. Derek Adamson has particular expertise in regard to insurance policy interpretation, fire and construction work, among others, while Jonathan Branton routinely handles public procurement matters. Paul Donnelly‘s specialism is in relation to historic abuse claims, such as professional negligence claims, and Melanie Williams‘ expertise encompasses property investment and development. Jacqui Kendall adds strength to the team with specific expertise in defending public and employers’ liability claims brought against local authorities. Colin Murray is another name to note in the practice.

Practice head(s):

Derek Adamson; Melanie Williams; Jonathan Branton (Leeds); Paul Donnelly; Colin Murray (Manchester)


Other key lawyers:

Jacqui Kendall


Testimonials

‘Good, professional, coordinated team.’

‘Responsive and helpful.’

‘Always good results with our cases’

Key clients

Coventry City Council


Urban Growth Company


Walsall Council


Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council


Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council


Leeds City Council


West Midlands Combined Authority


Newcastle City Council


Wolverhampton Council


Cornwall Council


Liverpool City Region Combined Authority


Manchester City Council


London Borough of Greenwich


Birmingham City Council & Finance Birmingham


Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea


Work highlights


  • Advised a high volume of Failure to Remove claims relating to alleged failings of social services brought under the Human Rights Act.
  • Acting for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in connection with the personal injury claims (and the public inquiry) arising from the Grenfell Tower disaster in June 2017.
  • Acting for Sandwell MBC in a case relating to alleged devastating injury to a young toddler who fell from a first floor window, landing on concrete.

Freeths LLP

The ‘brilliant’ Freeths LLP has a practice that encompasses transactional property work and regulatory matters, as well as development projects and joint venture arrangements, to name a few. Co-lead Nathan Holden has particular expertise in regard to property, such as disposals, compulsory purchase orders and acting for authorities in defending judicial review claims. Alongside him, Mitchell Ball‘s practice involves food retail development work and town centre regeneration, with vast experience in town planning.

Practice head(s):

Nathan Holden; Mitchell Ball


Other key lawyers:

Clare Taylor


Testimonials

‘The individuals are brilliant, but they also quickly and effortlessly combine to act in concert when required to provide synchronised and mutually reinforcing advice.’

‘The key strength of the team is that it consists mainly of former local government lawyers who have the “insiders” in-depth knowledge to be able to advise and find solutions.’

‘Nathan Holden in the Local Government team is consistently the most responsive compared to lawyers in other firms, applying his extensive experience and knowledge of local government practices and processes to help find practical solutions, often at extremely short notice.’

‘Nathan Holden’s understanding and sensitivities to local politics and governance issues make him stand out.’

Key clients

Royal Borough of Greenwich


Buckinghamshire Council


Rushmoor Borough Council


Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council


North East Lincolnshire Council


East Northamptonshire District Council


Leicester City Council


London Borough of Ealing


Milton Keynes Development Partnership


Solihull MBC


Mansfield District Council


Nottinghamshire County Council


Walsall Council


Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council


Gloucestershire County Council


Cherwell District Council


Cambridge City Council


Reading Borough Council


Bassetlaw District Council


Broxtowe Borough Council


Derby City Council


Derbyshire Dales District Council


Kent County Council


London Borough of Bromley


Oxford City Council


Telford and Wrekin Council


Shropshire Council


Leicestershire County Council


Milton Keynes Council


Enfield Council


Nottingham City Homes Limited


East Lindsey District Council


Staffordshire County Council


South Cambridgeshire District Council


Bristol City Council


Nottingham Community Housing Association


North Yorkshire County Council


Ashfield District Council


Central Bedfordshire Council


Kirklees Council


West Northamptonshire Council


Charnwood Borough Council


London Borough of Richmond upon Thames


Rugby Borough Council


Nottingham City Council


Luton Borough Council


Newark & Sherwood District Council


Worcestershire County Council


Plymouth City Council


Somerset County Council


Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council


Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council


York City Council


Folkestone & Hythe District Council


Sheffield City Council


Herefordshire Council


Merton London Borough Council


High Peak Borough Council


Hertfordshire County Council


Boston Borough Council


Bolsover District Council


Rushcliffe Borough Council


Huntingdonshire District Council


East Hertfordshire District Council


Birmingham City Council


Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council


South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority


Isle of Wight Council


Harborough District Council


London Borough of Sutton


Blaby District Council


Melton Borough Council


Chesterfield Borough Council


Wakefield Metropolitan District Council


Wokingham Borough Council


Bedford Borough Council


North East Derbyshire District Council


Peterborough City Council


Cheshire East Council


Scape Group Ltd


North Northamptonshire Council


Old Bolsover Town Council


Amber Valley Borough Council


Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service


Derbyshire County Council


Erewash Borough Council


Stoke on Trent City Council


Lichfield District Council


Forest of Dean District Council


Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Authority


Arc Property Services Partnership Ltd


Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority


Welwyn & Hatfield Borough Council


Ashfield Homes Ltd


City of Lincoln Council


Corby Borough Council


Cotswold District Council


Coventry City Council


Daventry District Council


Fenland District Council


Harrogate Borough Council


Kettering Borough Council


Lincolnshire County Council


North Hertfordshire District Council


North Lincolnshire Council


North West Leicestershire District Council


Northampton Borough Council


Nottinghamshire Police Authority


Peak District National Park


Sedgemoor District Council


South Staffordshire Council


Stratford Upon Avon District Council


The Borough of Oadby & Wigston


Transport for the North


West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue


Wolverhampton City Council


Middlesbrough Borough Council


The Council of the Borough of South Tyneside


Durham County Council


Northumberland County Council


Gateshead Council


Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council


Wigan Council


Warrington Borough Council


Cheshire West and Chester Council


Halton Borough Council


South Lakeland District Council


Sefton Council


Allerdale Borough Council


Eden District Council


Cumbria County Council


Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council


London Borough of Hackney


London Borough of Camden


London Borough of Newham


London Borough of Hillingdon


Defence Infrastructure Organisation


The Cornwall Council


Tamworth Borough Council


Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service


Mole Valley District Council


Waverley Borough Council


Guildford Borough Council


Runnymede Borough Council


Spelthorne Borough Council


West Yorkshire Combined Authority


Leeds City Council


Wakefield Council


Leicestershire County Council


London Borough of Lambeth


West of England Combined Authority


West Midlands Combined Authority


The Police & Crime Commissioner for Kent


Swindon Borough Council


Southampton City Council


Bath and North East Somerset Council


East Sussex County Council


Gravesham Borough Council


Surrey County Council


Orbis Reporting Group


Cornwall Council Reporting Group


Ipswich Borough Assets Limited


London Borough of Havering


Stevenage Borough Council


London Borough of Barking & Dagenham


Exeter City Council


The West Midlands Growth Company


Cambridgeshire County Council


Havant Borough Council


Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council


Ware Town Council


Wantage Town Council


Buckinghamshire Advantage


Gloucester City Council


Harlow Council


Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce


Derbyshire Building Control Partnership


Broxbourne Borough Council


Castle Point Borough Council


Darlington Borough Council


Cheltenham Borough Council


Rochford District Council


Ipswich Borough Council


Liverpool City Region Combined Authority


Oxford City Housing Limited


South Somerset District Council


Work highlights


  • Advising on the acquisition by the North East Lincolnshire Council of the Freshney Place shopping centre and ongoing work around repurposing the space to revitalise the area.
  • Advising the Royal London Borough of Greenwich on the contractual arrangements for joining a Regional Adoption Agency.
  • Advising the Oxford City Council on its Blackbird Leys regeneration scheme, regarding housing development.

Pinsent Masons LLP

The ‘exceptional team’ at Pinsent Masons LLP routinely handles infrastructure, property and construction matters in the local government sphere, as well as being involved with some large transactions in the region. Practice head Kultar Khangura is particularly experienced in leading large regeneration projects, whilst Nigel Blundell’s practice covers building and infrastructure schemes, national main contractors and investment funds. Senior associate Rebecca Rowley‘s central focus is on housing-led development and infrastructure schemes. Further strengthening the practice is senior associate Gemma Glasspole, who is experienced in handling the setting up of joint working capabilities and the procurement of funding. Senior associate Amy Walker is well versed in high-profile development and regeneration projects. Associate Chris Haines specialises in delivering public housing, infrastructure and services. In October 2022, Didar Dhillon departed to join Severn Trent and David Meecham departed for TLT.

Practice head(s):

Kultar Khangura


Other key lawyers:

Nigel Blundell; Rebecca Rowley; Gemma Glasspole; Amy Walker; Chris Haines


Testimonials

‘An Exceptional team to work with who truly understand the workings of the public sector at local, regional and central Government Levels.’

‘They are always positive, solution oriented, hardworking and provide flexible and quick turnarounds.’

‘Very flexible on procurement approaches through Crown Commercial Services and always quick to respond, somehow reading my mind and laying out everything I was thinking I needed without me having to describe it in detail.’

Key clients

Cardiff Council and others (Cardiff Capital Region)


Coventry City Council


Durham County Council


Westminster City Council


LB Harrow


Bracknell Forest Borough Council


Sandwell MBC


Worcestershire County Council


LB Waltham Forest


HIF Grant Funding – Various authorities


Cornwall Council


Northumberland County Council


LB Haringey


Suffolk County Council


Sunderland City Council and South Tyneside Council


Ebbsfleet Development Corporation


Work highlights


  • Advising Cardiff Council and nine other regional local authorities on the establishment and implementation of their £1.2bn City Deal which has included the creation of a £500m regional evergreen fund; £40m investment into a new high-tech semi-conductor facility for IQE Plc; equity investments into a new med-tech company; £10m SME Housing Fund; and £100m Strategic Sites Fund.
  • Advising Coventry City Council on their ground breaking £150m Very Light Rail Project, in collaboration with Warwick University and Dudley Council to develop new battery powered fully autonomous technology in the light rail sector.
  • Advising Bracknell Forest Borough Council on the procurement of a private sector partner, Countryside, to establish a corporate joint venture for the development of a number of Council owned sites in the Borough. The first three sites are in the town centre and have an estimated development value of £150m, and the project provides a 20-year pipeline of development opportunities valued at over £1bn.