William Eichler 24 November 2023

MPs launch inquiry into controversial watchdog

MPs launch inquiry into controversial watchdog image
Image: echoevg / Shutterstock.com.

An inquiry looking at the remit of the controversial Office for Local Government (Oflog) was launched by MPs today.

The inquiry will consider how the new local government watchdog will engage with local authorities to help raise performance and improve outcomes.

It will also look at how Oflog will support levelling up, the body’s use of data, and how this will help local government performance.

Clive Betts, chair of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee, said: ‘The new Office for Local Government has multiple objectives, tasked with providing local government with better data to help improve performance while also equipping Whitehall with a further tool to exercise accountability to central government.

‘In our new inquiry, we want to examine how Oflog intends to manage its remit and serve the public by making data on local services more transparent and accessible.

The Local Government Association (LGA) has voiced concerns over Oflog’s remit and the new watchdog has been criticised for not engaging enough with local government experts.

Mr Betts said: ‘In a climate of continuing financial pressures on councils and rising demands on services, we also want to assess how far Oflog will work in partnership with local government to help improve performance.’

If this article was of interest, then check out 'Intervening at the local level' by Nick Graham, director for Legal & Democratic Services at Buckinghamshire Council.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Speech and Language Therapist Band 7

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£49,939 – £60,515 per annum
Speech and Language Therapist Band 7
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Resident Engagement Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£39,471 - £51,127 per annum
You will be reporting to Development Project managers – playing an important role in the design and development process, bringing your communications skills and innovative approaches to engagement, in order to engage with local communities, adding value Wandsworth High Street
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Team Leader

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235
Opportunities are available across the County Durham Area Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker - Children in Care

Durham County Council
£34,314 - £37,938 (pre-progression) / £39,513 - £43,693 (post-progression)
We are looking for a social worker who has completed their assessed and supported year in employment to join our Children in Care teams. In this role Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Residential Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 (pro rata to hours worked)
Part-Time Contract (Evenings and Weekends) Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.