On the LCC angle - there are necessary approvals required to even get to the stage of announcing a potential deal.
I'm not a council or legal expert by any means, but word I've had is that the necessary approval has been gained to at least get to this stage where it can be announced - on the basis that this is a deal which clearly will financially benefit LCC.
Heads will fall off that the council are involved in a time of cuts and austerity. The truth is that, if it goes ahead, the council will have more money in it budget than if it didn't.