Communities

As I write this, we are two days from the Budget – with most politicians and commentators discussing two key elements to it – jobs and growth. In last month’s column, I talked about how localising business rates can help growth – and indeed the coalition has since launched a review into local government finance reform.

For many, spring is a time for new beginnings: when the flowers start to bloom and, as we emerge rejuvenated from the gloom of a cold, hard winter, our thoughts inevitably turn to spending more time outdoors in our local parks and green spaces.