Local government has set ambitious targets to deliver infrastructure for their local communities in support of net zero and regional and local economic growth. Local authorities act as project sponsors, work to crowd-in private investment and invest where there is limited market provision.
We provide support and act as a critical friend to local authorities, helping them to understand and navigate the challenges and financing barriers they face in delivering infrastructure and meeting their growth ambitions.
Our advisory services continue to be provided at no charge to the authority, and with no obligation to access our lending.
If you would like to discuss your project and explore how we may be able to assist, please contact our Local Authority Managing Director, Lorna Pimlott.
NWF Regional Project Accelerator
In October 2025 we launched a new and enhanced regional offer to support local authorities. The new approach will focus on long-term and deeper strategic partnerships with high growth MSAs and City Regions, as well as support for more complex and strategically significant projects across the country. We will develop a new knowledge service for all councils to access, harnessing digital and AI technology and facilitating peer to peer learning, adding to councils’ commercial insights so they can work effectively with the private sector. Find out more about the new approach.
Areas of focus
We can provide specific sector focus across clean energy generation, buildings decarbonisation, transport and place-based investment. Our Advisory offer will continue to evolve in 2025/26, reflecting the varying maturity of these sectors and the broader sectoral mandate we have been given to support local government to prioritise growth. Below is some more information on the sectors where we can provide advisory support.
Retrofit
Improving the energy efficiency of buildings and decarbonising heat is a key priority for local authorities. There is no template because every building has a bespoke set of requirements that is influenced by the age and mixed-tenure nature of housing stock. Other challenges to delivery include a low return on investment, fragmented supply chain and complex customer journey. We are supporting local authorities across the UK with strategic and commercial advice as they trial different decarbonisation models and develop a longer-term plan for retrofitting buildings. To find out more, contact our Director for Retrofit, Stuart Leslie.
Heat networks
Local authorities will play a key role in delivering the UK’s transition to district heating networks by designating heat network zones, acting as project sponsors and investors, and being key heat off-takers through their estates. We have unique sector expertise gained through our work with a number of pioneering local authority heat networks and can offer bespoke finance that reflects the specific cashflows of heat network projects. To find out more, contact our Director for Heat Networks, Peter Chalmers.
Transport
Local authorities are working to reduce emissions, tackle congestion and improve air quality by investing in transport systems. We have specialist capabilities to support local authorities undertaking mass transit and public transport projects and delivering zero emission vehicle infrastructure. We advise authorities delivering major transport schemes on their strategy and commercial delivery models, including funding and financing options capable of drawing in private finance. To find out more, contact our Director for Transport, Dan Mansfield.
Place-based approach
Local authorities lead regeneration and placemaking activity and are critical to delivering government’s flagship growth policies. We can provide advice to develop investable business cases and lend directly to mixed infrastructure projects that cover more than one sector where there is a significant economic infrastructure component. To find out more, contact us.
Local authority case study
Glasgow City Council
The Glasgow City Council-led Clyde Metro Team is supporting the development of the mass transit scheme following its recent confirmation by the Scottish Government as a key future transport investment priority.