Best Value Inspection - Update, 15 June 2023
The Best Value Inspection report was published by gov.uk on 15 June 2023.
A spokesperson from the Thurrock Commissioners said:
We believe that the recommendations made in the Best Value Inspection, alongside the additional powers granted to us by the Secretary of State in February 2023, including the appointment of a Managing Director Commissioner who is also Chief Executive at Thurrock Council as part of the Commissioner team, will enable us to continue making improvements in the running of the council.
The latest statement from the Minister of State in respect of the planned consultation on Thurrock’s electoral arrangements will provide further stability for the council as it continues its improvement journey. Our work to support Thurrock’s progress and to drive this forward continues.
You can contact the Commissioners at Thurrock.Commissioners@essex.gov.uk.
Intervention at Thurrock Council – Update, 21 March 2023
Read the decision detail document regarding the Expansion of Intervention into Thurrock Borough Council.
Intervention at Thurrock Council – Update, 15 March 2023
The Secretary of State has used powers under the Local Government Act 1999 to expand the intervention at the Council.
The new directions follow recommendations from the Commissioners.
You can view documents and correspondence relating to the intervention in Thurrock Council.
Intervention at Thurrock Council
On Friday 2 September 2022, Greg Clark MP, the then Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, confirmed that he had appointed Essex County Council as Commissioner to act in an intervention at Thurrock Council.
The appointment of Essex County Council as Commissioner followed ‘grave concerns’ voiced by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities over Thurrock Council’s exceptional levels of financial risk and debt.
Essex County Council was also appointed to undertake a Best Value Inspection.
Best Value Inspection
Essex County Council, in its statutory role as Best Value Inspector, is undertaking a Best Value Inspection of Thurrock Council.
The Inspection commenced on Monday 10 October.
The Inspection Team was directed by the Secretary of State to consider, in the delivery of specific functions, whether Thurrock Council has effective arrangements in place for securing Best Value in its governance, audit (internal and external), risk management, overview and scrutiny functions, and their impact on service delivery.
The Inspection Team is:
- Tony McArdle, Inspection Lead
- Margaret Lee, Finance
- Pam Parkes, Organisation culture
- Paul Turner, Governance
- Joanna Boaler, Scrutiny
- Alastair Gordon, Policy and Insight