Consultation on Best Value definition launched amid slew of new notices

The announcement comes in a week that has seen three new Best Value notices issued, alongside decisions to lift a notice for Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council and extend notices for two other local authorities.

The consultation, which closes in October, seeks views on the suitability of the seven Best Value themes: Continuous Improvement, Leadership, Governance, Culture, Use of Resources, Service Delivery, and Partnerships and Community Engagement.

It also asks whether the Government's different approaches to assessing compliance with the Best Value Duty, and its various intervention models, are sufficiently clear.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) issued Best Value notices to Somerset Council, Shropshire Council and the London Borough of Hillingdon on Wednesday (15 July), citing financial concerns in all three cases.

In Hillingdon's case, the Government also highlighted systemic governance weaknesses relating to the effectiveness of scrutiny and risk management arrangements, as well as concerns about organisational culture.

Its letter to Shropshire similarly raised concerns over leadership capacity, governance, scrutiny and organisational culture.

In a separate update, the department confirmed that a Best Value notice issued to Newham Council would remain in place for a further six months, despite what it described as "clear progress in strengthening leadership, governance and financial management".

It said many improvements remained at an early stage and called for further assurance on progress towards financial sustainability, organisational culture and the delivery of priority services, including housing and adult social care.

A Best Value notice for Cheshire East Council was also extended for a further six months, with ministers saying they remained "very concerned about the scale of challenge still facing the Authority".

In a letter sent on Wednesday, the Government said it required "further assurance" on areas including financial sustainability, improvements to children's social care and senior officer capacity.

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, meanwhile, was informed on Wednesday that its Best Value notice had been lifted following clear evidence of improved financial management and discipline, including strengthened reserves, delivery of savings and a balanced budget.

MHCLG also praised the council's strengthened governance arrangements, alongside progress in stabilising senior leadership and organisational capacity through the implementation of a new corporate management structure and recruitment to key roles.

Adam Carey