Culture and Governance failings in Local Government

The below is from the central government website www.gov.uk - and more specific HERE 

Its about governance failings at a local council level. I haven't copied all of it - only some and have added in area's my own emphasis and notes. 

I wondered at what point did central gov think it was right to intervene in the running of local government - when some parts of the corporation weren't functioning as they are expected to,  by either statutory legislation or common law as opposed to inappropriate local customs and traditions. 

I think its fair to add that local councils do a lot of good stuff as well. 

Guidance

Addressing cultural and governance failings in local authorities: lessons from recent interventions

Updated 16 June 2020

1. Introduction

In May 2020 we published Statutory Intervention and Inspection: a guide for local authorities^{[footnote 3]}. Additional guides, including the lessons that can be learned from the different inspections and interventions under the Local Government Act are being developed and will be published in due course.

The Local Government Act 1999 (as amended) gives the Secretary of State powers to inspect and, subject to there being sufficient evidence, intervene in a local authority where that authority is failing in its best value duty, namely:

to secure continuous improvement in the way in which its functions are exercised, having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness.^{[footnote 4]  [my emphasis]} 

Since 2010, the Secretary of State has intervened formally in 4 local authorities:

• Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council
• London Borough of Tower Hamlets
• Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
• Northamptonshire County Council

There have also been non-statutory interventions in Birmingham City Council and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Although each intervention was unique and the sample size is small, it is important that we identify common characteristics to ensure that lessons can be learned for the future.

Our analysis shows that one common characteristic of recent statutory and non-statutory interventions is weaknesses in the local authority’s culture and governance.

The culture of a local authority is determined by its shared values and beliefs, how decisions are made, as well as how elected members and officers behave, interact and carry out their roles.

This is designed to be a living document which will be updated as we learn lessons from any future interventions. In this spirit, we would welcome suggestions from local authorities as to omissions or additions. Any comments should be made to LocalGovernmentStewardship@communities.gov.uk.

4. Addressing poor behaviour across an authority

5. Strengthening scrutiny, transparency and whistle-blowing support

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/addressing-cultural-and-governance-failings-in-local-authorities-lessons-from-recent-interventions/addressing-cultural-and-governance-failings-in-local-authorities-lessons-from-recent-interventions

                                                                        

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