The government has appointed independent reviewers to undertake
assurance reviews into 8 councils, following decisions earlier
this year to provide exceptional financial support to these
authorities.
The government has formally appointed the Chartered Institute of
Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) to undertake the financial
element of these external assurance reviews.
This follows a decision to provide exceptional financial support
packages to 8 councils subject to an external review. These
authorities are Bexley, Copeland, Eastbourne, Luton,
Peterborough, Redcar & Cleveland, Slough and Wirral councils.
The external assurance reviewers will provide a detailed
assessment of each councils’ financial position and management,
making recommendations where necessary of how each council can
take action to improve.
Local Government Minister said:
The government has committed over £35 billion to help councils
support their communities and local businesses during the
pandemic.
Even with the considerable support already provided there will be
individual councils with unique circumstances which, in some
cases, has been exacerbated by poor financial management on their
part.
These reviewers will ensure each of the councils have plans in
place so that they are financially sustainable, minimising the
need for further government support and working in the interests
of the communities they serve.
The external reviews will provide an assessment of a council’s
financial management and management of risk; deliverability of
savings plans and efficiency in delivering services.
Any recommendations from these reviews will inform the Local
Government Secretary’s decisions on exceptional financial support
for the financial year 2021-22, and any other matters of concern
at the authorities.
In the case of Slough, Peterborough and Wirral, the reviews will
look at both the councils’ financial position and wider
governance arrangements, to ensure they can deliver financially
sustainable plans for the communities they serve.
This decision has been taken in response to wider concerns at
each of the councils. In the case of Slough this includes recent
statutory recommendations issued by external auditors, relating
to the council’s overall financial sustainability, as well as its
arrangements for financial governance and monitoring.
The government is also confirming the appointment of these
reviewers today (30 June 2021). Andrew Flockhart has been
confirmed as the reviewer for Peterborough Council, Ada Adams for
Wirral Council and Jim Taylor for Slough Council. Each has a
wealth of experience within local government having worked in a
range of senior roles.
Further information
See further details on exceptional financial
support agreed or agreed in principle.
The confirmed reviewers are:
Peterborough – Andrew Flockhart
Chief Executive of Poole Borough Council from April 2014 to his
retirement in March 2019 where he led the council through the
Dorset/Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole unitarisation.
Wirral – Ada Burns
Chief Executive of Darlington Borough Council until 2018 where
she played an important role in the development of the Tees
Valley Mayoral Combined Authority. She worked in senior roles in
London on housing and regeneration for 25 years prior to moving
to Darlington.
Slough – Jim Taylor
Chief Executive of Salford City Council for 6 years until his
retirement in January 2021. He was interim Chief Executive of
Trafford Borough Council from July 2018 to February 2019 and
prior to that Chief Executive of Rochdale Borough Council.
