LGA approves new improvement and assurance framework
A new framework setting out the "nuts and bolts" and key components of council improvement and assurance has been published by the Local Government Association (LGA).
The framework, published last week (24 May), is designed to help councils check that they have the right controls in place and identify where they need to become more effective, the LGA said.
According to the LGA, not all components of the assurance system "are currently working as well as they should", and in the context of continuing failures in local audit, "it is more important than ever that councils should undertake their own assurance activities effectively".
The LGA said the document intends to fill a gap in information available on how to achieve good local government assurance, how the components fit together, how to use them effectively and what improvement support is available to help.
It also aims to increase the effectiveness of assurance across local government, potentially reducing the risk of Government interventions.
The framework encourages local councils to be transparent and open to external challenge such as corporate peer challenge, and having political and managerial leadership which visibly prioritises 'doing the right thing'.
It also advises councils to undertake annual reviews of controls and governance, regular reviews of finance, risk information and performance, as well as ensuring members and officers have the skills they need for their roles.
Constructive challenge through scrutinising decisions and policy development is also encouraged in the document, alongside oversight and challenge of arrangements for risk and audit by the audit committee.
The framework applies to unitary, county, district, and borough councils in England and to English authorities with all types of governance systems.
Cllr Abi Brown OBE, Chairman of the LGA's Improvement and Innovation Board, said: "Councils do many and varied things to keep themselves 'safe' and checking what they are doing is lawful, in line with professional standards and appropriate performance targets.
"This process of checking – or 'assurance' – should be evidence-based and accurate, and enable others, such as the public, to hold the council to account for the services that they deliver.
"This framework has been designed to support this. It will change and evolve in line with the local government landscape, to develop new tools and support.
"It's more important than ever that councils, in the current financial context, are using all of the elements of this framework effectively, to identify and manage risks to performance and corporate governance."
Adam Carey
