Ellie Ames 01 March 2024

Bradford issued Best Value Notice

Bradford issued Best Value Notice image
Image: Electric Egg / Shuterstock.com

The Government has issued a Best Value Notice to City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council over concerns about its financial resilience and children’s services.

The non-statutory notice is a formal notification that the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has concerns about the council.

It follows a Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy review, which raised ‘serious concerns’ about Bradford’s financial resilience and control.

The notice also relates to ‘capacity to transform’ both the council and Bradford Children and Families Trust services ‘at sufficient pace’.

The DLUHC said: ‘Given the seriousness of the issues identified, a failure to deliver the level of change required at sufficient pace would be very concerning.’

It now expects Bradford to establish an independent advisory panel, produce an improvement plan, and continue to implement ‘cultural change’, particularly in relation to working relationships.

Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe said the council had been working 'extremely hard' to tackle its financial challenges, adding: ‘We welcome external challenge to help us keep on track.’

Bradford is also one of 19 local authorities to receive exceptional financial support worth a total of almost £2.5bn, announced by the DLUHC yesterday.

The council received ‘in principle’ capitalisation directions worth £80m for 2023-24 and £140m for 2024-25, which it said means it can now present balanced budgets for both years.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Social Worker - Adults Emergency Duty/Approved Mental Health Professional

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£46,206 - £55,992
Senior Social Worker / Approved Mental ... Twickenham, Greater London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Care & Support Worker

West Northamptonshire Council
£13.52ph
36 hours per week (12 hours day shifts). Operating on a 4 week rolling rota. The current rota for this position does not include any weekend working. The team will provide quality care for our people, specialising in rehabilitation/reablement and sub-acu Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Graduate Trainee Emergency Planning and Resilience Consultant

Essex County Council
£27055.00 - £31829.00 per annum
Are you a Graduate, looking to become part of a crucial, efficient and high achieving team? England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Finance Officer- Transactional Services

Essex County Council
£34121.00 - £40142.00 per annum
Senior Finance Officer- Transactional ServicesFixed Term, Full Time£34,121 up to £40,142 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 - £35,412 - £39,152 (pre-progression) / Grade 11 - £40,777 - £45,091 (post-progression)
Applications are invited for a Social Worker within the Durham and Chester le Street Locality Team, temporary until 30 September 2026 subject to the r Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner