governance
‘Significant weaknesses’ found by Birmingham audit
A report has revealed ‘significant weaknesses’ in services and a ‘lack of stable leadership’ at Birmingham City Council.
Making space for the big picture
Senior officers and leadership teams find it near impossible to make space away from operational agenda – but Christine McDonald, Dr Rachel Robins and Professor Tony Wall explain why it is critical.
Due diligence matters
Due diligence should not be viewed as a ‘tick box’ exercise, but as a crucial decision-making tool, says Brian Ng. He outlines six considerations he believes are fundamental for councils to consider before making investment or funding decisions.
'Serious breakdown' in senior relationships, report reveals
A scathing review of executive cultures at Thanet DC has concluded that relationships between senior figures have been dysfunctional – at huge cost to local taxpayers.
Leaders to reconsider governance overhaul
Fears have been raised plans to ‘re-establish’ the West of England joint committee could put £600m of funding at risk.
Government must rethink its approach to poor governance and behaviour in councils
Solace supports all of the Committee on Standards in Public Life report's recommendations on standards in local government, but without Government action on sanctions this will never gain the traction required, says Graeme McDonald.
Council held decade-long contract with dormant firm
Grant Thornton said it exposed a ‘significant weakness’ in Herefordshire Council’s contract management in its report on the council’s 2020-21 accounts.
Nottingham expected to bring housing back under direct control after probes
Nottingham City Council is expected to bring its housing back under direct control after two independent probes found ‘underlying issues around governance and finance’.
Chief warns leaders over governance overhaul
A chief executive has warned council leaders a proposed governance overhaul will put £600m of Government funding at risk.
Mayor's meetings with contractors breached constitution
Meetings between Middlesbrough’s Mayor and contractors over the council’s flagship regeneration project were against the council’s constitution, internal auditors have found.
Peer challenge criticises councillor infighting
Councillors at Windsor & Maidenhead BC are ‘showing the council in a poor light’ according to a corporate peer challenge.
Liverpool launches consultation to scrap mayor
Liverpool City Council has launched a three month consultation that could lead to the abolition of its elected mayor post.
The Government’s response on standards is a missed opportunity
The Government’s long-delayed response to the Committee on Standards in Public Life review of local government ethical standards falls short of what is required to improve governance, says Mark Greenburgh.
Ministers fail to act on calls to beef up standards
The Government has been accused of ‘willfully looking the other way’ on standards after failing to act on recommendations to beef up sanctions.
Merthyr Tydfil improvement board ends
Independent oversight of Merthyr Tydfil CBC has come to an end following improvements to its governance and sustainability.
Slough commissioners sack chief for 'gross misconduct'
Slough Council’s commissioners have sacked chief executive Josie Wragg for ‘gross misconduct’ with immediate effect.
Give communities a real stake in skills improvement
Dr Marius Ostrowski says Local Skills Improvement Plans, one of the Government’s key Levelling Up White Paper commitments, must be made truly representative of the communities they intend to serve.
Keeping on top of electorial reform
Returning officers and elections teams will need additional resources to implement and maintain the new provisions in the Elections Bill, says Quentin Baker.
Lessons on procurement from Croydon’s Public Interest Report
In the context of the most recent Public Interest Report on Croydon LBC, Scott Dorling and Louis Sebastian warn of the risks of challenge on the ‘land exemption’ from procurement rules.
The recipe for integration lacks some key ingredients
Dr Eleanor Roy of CIPFA sets out what is required if the vision of the integration White Paper is to be achieved. At the moment it provides ‘more questions than answers’.
