Sam Clayden 23 March 2016

LEPs not transparent enough warns auditors

The National Audit Office (NAO) has issued a warning over the transparency of local enterprise partnerships (LEPs).

In a new report, the auditors said that the approach taken to overseeing growth deals by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) risked future value for money.

The NAO also said the department had failed to come up with quantifiable objectives for what it hoped to achieve through growth deals.

Head of the NAO, Amyas Morse, said: ‘LEPs’ role has expanded rapidly but they are not as transparent to the public as we would expect, especially given they are now responsible for significant amounts of taxpayers’ money.

‘While the DCLG has adopted a light touch approach to overseeing growth deals it is important this doesn’t become no touch.’

Chair of the public accounts committee, Meg Hillier, warned that throwing money at LEPs would not relieve the Government of accountability.

She said: ‘The majority of LEPs do not publish information on senior staff pay and 30% do not have any form of independent scrutiny over investment decisions they make with taxpayer money.’

Visit The MJ for more on this story.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Transformation and Change

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority
£69,210 - £77,728
The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority was established as a new organisation in early 2024. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

Head of Business Growth and Innovation

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority
£69,210 - £77,728
The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority was established as a new organisation in early 2024. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

Director of Transport

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority
£100,088 – £110,736
The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority was established as a new organisation in early 2024. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

Portable Antiquities Scheme Intern

Oxfordshire County Council
£24790 - £24790
About Us This is an exciting time to join the Oxfordshire Museum Service as we continue to develop service structure, and enhance access to our collections and services. Our collection totals 112,000 objects from the palaeolithic era to contemporary coll Witney
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Desktop Support Engineer

West Northamptonshire Council
£34203 - £37067
As a Desktop Support Engineer, you’ll be a key part of our frontline IT support team, ensuring that staff across the council have the tools and assistance they need to work efficiently and effectively. Your work will directly support vital public servic One Angel Square
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council
Linkedin Banner