The LGA has launched the second phase of its engagement with the sector discussing how the improvement and assurance framework for local government can be improved.
The Local Government Association has launched the second phase of its engagement with the sector discussing how the improvement and assurance framework for local government can be improved.
The LGA has been talking to councils, professional bodies and other stakeholders over the summer, seeking feedback on a draft framework for the sector.
This work has been informed by a sounding board with representation from the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers (Solace), the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and Lawyers in Local Government.
The LGA is now seeking the sector’s views on the principles of assurance and accountability, examples of good practice and on revised diagrams showing the elements of the improvement and assurance framework, and asking for ideas on how the framework can be improved.
These views will be gathered through meetings with councils at local and regional levels, representatives of relevant professional bodies and other stakeholders until the end of February.
The consultation is on the LGA website, with a survey for responses to the questions.
Once the consultation is complete, the feedback will be used to inform a revised version of the framework, with accompanying guidance notes, good practice examples and links to other relevant documents. The learning from this work will also be used to inform the development of the LGA’s improvement support offers to councils.
Cllr Abi Brown, Chairman of the LGA’s Improvement and Innovation Board, said: “Feedback from our initial engagement was really helpful, and has helped us to extend our mapping of the improvement and assurance framework for local government, which hasn’t previously been written down anywhere.
“We are taking on board all comments received and now want to follow up with some more detailed questions about how the current framework can be improved.
“It's important we hear the views of all councils, partners and all other stakeholders and I encourage everyone to engage with us, for the benefit of the whole of local government and the wider public.”
Notes to Editors
LGA consultation: Improvement and assurance framework for local government
The consultation questions are:
- Do you have any comments on this revised draft framework?
- Should focus on any elements of this framework increase as risk increases?
- Are there any elements of this framework where there should be more consistency of practice across the sector?
- What would best support councils to develop the effectiveness of their own assurance and its reporting to their communities?
- What would sector-wide assurance look like?
This feedback received in phase 1 has led to a number of helpful revisions. This includes:
- Revising the draft definitions of assurance and accountability for the local government context;
- Revising the initial draft map of the elements of the assurance and accountability framework for local government;
- Identifying common themes related to the operation of assurance and accountability in local government, with related principles and good practice;
- Developing and adapting the LGA’s improvement support offers.