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Prototype • illustrative research and financial data

Research Registry

What we know — and what we don't yet

Every record is a placeholder for research. No legislation has been cited and no record is source-backed or validated. Empty source slots show exactly where research must happen.

Concept

7

Under research

2

Source-backed

0

Validated

0

Source slots awaiting research

16

Trading vs charging for discretionary services

Distinguishing charging for a discretionary service from trading commercially, and the vehicle each may require.

ConceptReview by Mar 2027

Applicability

Waste & recycling, Facilities management, Governance & legal

England & Wales — differences unresearched

Statutory authority / sources

  • England — primary power (to research): empty — not yet researched
  • Wales — primary power (to research): empty — not yet researched
  • Statutory guidance (to research): empty — not yet researched

Evidence & open questions

  • Business case
  • Company/vehicle requirement assessment
  • When is a separate trading vehicle required?
  • Do English and Welsh positions differ?

Cost-recovery limits on charges

Whether a given charge may cover only costs, and what costs may be included.

Under researchReview by Jan 2027

Applicability

Licensing, Waste & recycling, Finance, Planning & building control

England & Wales — differences unresearched

Statutory authority / sources

  • General charging power (to research): empty — not yet researched
  • Regime-specific rules (to research): empty — not yet researched

Evidence & open questions

  • Cost model
  • Overhead allocation method
  • Which regimes permit surplus?
  • How are prior-year surpluses/deficits treated?

Locally set vs nationally fixed fees

Catalogue of which fees are set locally, which nationally, per jurisdiction.

ConceptReview by Feb 2027

Applicability

Licensing, Libraries & culture, Planning & building control, Highways & transport

England & Wales — differences unresearched

Statutory authority / sources

  • Fee regulations by regime (to research): empty — not yet researched

Evidence & open questions

  • Fee schedule
  • Decision records
  • Which fees differ between England and Wales?

Contract aggregation and frameworks

Procurement routes for consolidating demand across departments or authorities.

ConceptReview by Apr 2027

Applicability

Procurement & contracts, Digital & ICT, Facilities management

England & Wales — differences unresearched

Statutory authority / sources

  • Current procurement legislation (to research): empty — not yet researched
  • Wales-specific procurement provisions (to research): empty — not yet researched

Evidence & open questions

  • Contract register
  • Spend analysis
  • What thresholds and notices apply?

Cashable vs non-cashable benefits

Rules for when released capacity or avoided cost may be counted as a budget saving.

ConceptReview by Jan 2027

Applicability

Finance, Digital & ICT, Climate & energy

England & Wales — differences unresearched

Statutory authority / sources

  • Finance professional guidance (to research): empty — not yet researched

Evidence & open questions

  • Budget line affected
  • Budget owner sign-off
  • What evidence does the s151/chief finance officer require?

Lawful data matching for billing accuracy

Lawful bases and safeguards for matching internal datasets.

Under researchReview by Dec 2026

Applicability

Revenues & benefits, Planning & building control, Digital & ICT

England & Wales — differences unresearched

Statutory authority / sources

  • Data protection basis (to research): empty — not yet researched
  • Sector-specific data sharing powers (to research): empty — not yet researched

Evidence & open questions

  • DPIA
  • Data sharing agreement
  • Which datasets may be matched, and for which purposes?

Joint commissioning across authorities

Arrangements for authorities to commission services together.

ConceptReview by May 2027

Applicability

Children's services, Adult social care, Procurement & contracts

England & Wales — differences unresearched

Statutory authority / sources

  • Joint arrangement powers (to research): empty — not yet researched
  • Sufficiency duties (to research): empty — not yet researched

Evidence & open questions

  • Sufficiency assessment
  • Governance agreement
  • How are regional arrangements structured in Wales?

Invest-to-save financing

Funding routes and prudential considerations for upfront investment repaid from savings.

ConceptReview by Mar 2027

Applicability

Finance, Climate & energy, Facilities management

England & Wales — differences unresearched

Statutory authority / sources

  • Prudential framework (to research): empty — not yet researched
  • Capital flexibility rules (to research): empty — not yet researched

Evidence & open questions

  • Metered baseline
  • M&V plan
  • Affordability assessment
  • What repayment evidence is needed before borrowing?

Shared services between public bodies

Legal routes for one authority to provide services to another.

ConceptReview by Jun 2027

Applicability

Governance & legal, HR & workforce, Revenues & benefits

England & Wales — differences unresearched

Statutory authority / sources

  • Inter-authority service provision powers (to research): empty — not yet researched

Evidence & open questions

  • Partner agreement
  • Cost-sharing model
  • When does procurement law apply to public-public cooperation?