The Government has criticised the West of England Combined Authority for what it describes as ‘inconsistent action' over flagged value for money concerns.

Officials in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) have issued the combined authority with a Best Value notice detailing a long list of concerns.

DLUHC cited the poor state of professional relationships between the mayor and members of the authority, and warned the purpose of the authority had not been ‘collectively understood'.

It also said the combined authority ‘lacks a clear, shared narrative regarding the West of England and how it will operate for the benefit of the wider region'.

The notice follows reports by Grant Thornton and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE).

West of England Combined Authority interim chief executive, Richard Ennis, insisted the authority had made ‘significant progress'.

He added: ‘There is still more work for us to do, and I look forward to working with our regional partners and the independent improvement board to address the challenges specifically highlighted in the Best Value notice.'