MPs launch inquiry into remit and goals of Office for Local Government

The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee is set to look at the remit of the Office for Local Government (Oflog) and how the new body will engage with local authorities as part of an inquiry launched today (24 November).

The inquiry will examine how the new body will support the Government's set aims of levelling up, explore its use of data and how this will help local government performance and enable the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to support local improvement.

The organisation was launched in July of this year with the strategic objectives to "empower citizens" with data about their council, increase local leaders' and councils' understanding of their performance, and increase central Government's understanding of local government performance.

Josh Goodman, who was named as the body's first permanent chief executive late last month (30 October), said he hopes to find ways to "spot and address early warning signs" of potential governance and financial failure.

Oflog published its 'data explorer' in July, which is an online tool that presents council data on four service areas - waste management, adult social care, adult skills and finance.

Clive Betts, Chair of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee, said: "The new Office for Local Government has multiple objectives, tasked with providing local Government with better data to help improve performance while also equipping Whitehall with a further tool to exercise accountability to central Government.

"In our new inquiry, we want to examine how Oflog intends to manage its remit and serve the public by making data on local services more transparent and accessible."

He added: "In a climate of continuing financial pressures on councils and rising demands on services, we also want to assess how far Oflog will work in partnership with local Government to help improve performance. How much independence will Oflog exercise in supporting local councils? Will Oflog be able to come forward with meaningful and effective data which aids councils in service delivery rather than acting as a resource pressure for local authorities?"

The Committee is seeking written evidence as part of its inquiry. The closing date for submissions is 9 January.

Adam Carey