Kerslake issues call for evidence in Birmingham corporate governance review

The Permanent Secretary at the Department for Communities and Local Government, Sir Bob Kerslake, has issued a call for evidence at the start of his independent review into corporate governance at Birmingham City Council.

The lines of inquiry – discussed with Sir Albert Bore, Birmingham’s Leader, and Mark Rogers, its chief executive – include:

• The structure and size of the council;
• Clarity of strategic leadership and direction;
• Managerial capacity to deliver the council’s priorities;
• The role of the council in representing the community;
• Financial planning and sustainability in the medium and long term;
• Performance management and accountability;
• The council’s approach to partnership.

Sir Bob will also have an advisory panel to support the review. Members of the panel include three local authority chief executives and Local Government Association chief executive Carolyn Downs as well as senior Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat local government politicians.

The review is due to be completed by 31 December 2014.

Sir Bob said: “Birmingham is a vibrant, dynamic city of 1.1 million people and Birmingham Council is the largest in the UK. Ensuring that everyone shares in the cities economic prosperity and takes full advantage of all of the opportunities open to them requires strong civic leadership, effective governance and excellent delivery by the council.

“This is very much an open call for evidence and I’m keen to hear from as many individuals, institutions and organisations as possible to inform the review and its final recommendations.”