The Birmingham-based practice at Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP handles various mandates for city and county councils across the UK advising on residential and infrastructure developments, procurement strategies, and contract disputes. It is particularly noted for managing local government reorganisation projects, advising councils such as Somerset and Cumbria, and supports Newcastle City Council on innovative district heating schemes. Employment expert and practice head Matthew Gregson frequently collaborates with governance lawyer Claire Ward on these reorganisations and represents local authorities in employment disputes. Consultant Olwen Brown is a key contact for contract and procurement matters, while Mark Cook assists clients with joint ventures and in developing their structures for increasing income generation. Property experts Sandy Munroe and Richard Brooks are also recommended and Emma Lloyd joined the department from Keystone Law in July 2023.
Key clients
- London Borough of Haringey
- Buckinghamshire Council
- Shropshire Council
- Newcastle City Council
- Birmingham City Council
- Cheltenham Borough Council
- Oxford City Council
- West Northamptonshire Council
- Leicester City Council
- Coventry City Council
- Stafford Borough Council
Work highlights
- Advised Somerset Council on all aspects of the reorganisation of local government in Somerset which went live on 1 April 2023, one of only three local government reorganisations in England authorised by the Government.
- Advising Newcastle City Council in relation to their programme of work decarbonising the public estate, within which the Council is delivering a range of measures to its estate, from energy-efficient lighting through to air source heat pumps. The Council has funding of £46.5m for this initiative from the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
- Advising West Northamptonshire Council on the re-procurement of a waste transfer station, household waste recycling centres, residual waste disposal and waste reuse contracts. The overall service being procured by the Council, which has key environmental goals, is valued in excess of £450million.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Matthew Gregson