Local councils are being encouraged to form assetbacked vehicles with institutional investors to assist in bringing forward regeneration projects. English Partnerships (EP) chief executive John Walker said: “We want to generate upfront funding so we are helping local authorities to build relationships with institutional investors. What amazes me is how much money is at their disposal, and for every £1 invested by an institution there is £5 chasing it.” <br><br>Institutions, he said, were now taking a longer term view and would look at 20-year developments. Walker said EP was going through due diligence work with local authorities to identify assets and revenue streams. “I would like to see more than one asset-backed vehicle put to bed by the end of March 2008,” he said.<br>