Martin Ford 15 June 2023

Thurrock commissioners call for sector-wide change

Commissioners at crisis-hit Thurrock Council have called for sector-wide measures to bolster the role of top officers.

The team from Essex CC led by Tony McArdle made recommendations for the wider sector in its Best Value report on Thurrock, published today.

It suggested the Government issued guidance to strengthen the role of the three statutory officers – section 151, monitoring officer and head of paid service – and require them to work together, in addition to legislating to ‘strengthen and clarify’ the role of the monitoring officer.

Earlier this year, Max Caller, a regular reviewer and commissioner at failing authorities, said there was ‘no real rules’ on how the three statutory roles should work and ‘no explicit qualifications’.

To continue reading visit The MJ (£).

If this story is of interest, check out our feature, 'Preventing future Section 114 notices'.

Sign up here to receive our free daily news and jobs bulletin.

#Intervention #Finance #commercial investment

Analysis

Procurement Act 2023 first legal challenge: Lessons for local authorities

Bradley Martin, public procurement expert at Browne Jacobson, explains what the first legal judgment related to the Procurement Act 2023 means for councils.

Opinion

Devolution and putting place first

The real lesson of Andy Burnham's Makerfield success, argues Dr Jonathan Carr-West, is that place – not personality – is the key to Britain's future.

Most Popular News

Fresh asylum homelessness spike warning

Liverpool City Region launches first anti-racism strategy

Local government can't deliver without investing in skills

Polanski calls for end to outsourcing

Government publishes social cohesion action plan

New Products

Safeguarding Children - the AAT Way

MSL enhances hygiene auditing with air quality testing for Awaab’s Law compliance

Cadcorp launches Mapestry

Bolton Council Upgrades 120+ School Crossings with Smart CMS Control by Lucy Zodion

NEC CONTRACTS HAS GONE DIGITAL: PAPERLESS, TO GIVE YOU MORE

Vent-Axia Delivers Social Housing a Smart Ventilation Solution Ahead of Awaab’s Law

New remotely lockable cabinet will help manage medication for people with mental health issues

Case Studies

Cornwall’s Coastal Heritage Lighting Upgraded with Acrospire Lanterns

Acrospire Delivers Durable Handrail Lighting Upgrade for Historical Landmark Jacob’s Ladder

Acrospire Delivers Seamless Heritage Lighting Upgrade on Bath’s North Parade Bridge

Acrospire Delivers Retrofit Lighting for Newbridge’s Joe Calzaghe Footbridge

Acrospire Delivers PIR-Controlled Lighting at Ruislip Lido Car Park

Spennymoor Market Place and Consett Middle Street revitalised using Thorn Lighting’s Thor Lanterns and Customisable Gobo Projectors

Acrospire Partners with Bath & North East Somerset Council to Illuminate Historic Film Location with LED Upgrade

Company Anouncements

Acrospire promotes LED retrofit for structurally viable lighting assets

Vent-Axia Welcomes the Future Homes Standard as Competency Takes Centre Stage

Apricorn Becomes First and Only Hardware-Encrypted USB Storage Device Manufacturer to Achieve AS9100 Certification

AAT helps Councils step up to address children’s social care

CU Phosco Approved as a Crown Commercial Service Supplier

Acrospire triumphs at the 2025 HEA Awards with Sustainable Project of the Year

TRT Lighting retrofit helps Lincolnshire County Council cut street lighting energy use by over 65%

Care Resource Specialist

Grade 10 £38,220 - £41,771

Do you want your work to make a real difference to the lives of children and young people in our care? This is a brilliant opportunity to join a new Spennymoor

Recuriter: Durham County Council

School Crossing Patrol

Grade 1 £4,106 (approx.) £12.85 per hour

Join our School Crossing Patrol Service! Are you punctual and reliable? Do you have good communication skills and a strong sense of community spirit? Durham

Recuriter: Durham County Council

Business Support Assistant

Grade 3 - £25,185 - £25,989 (pay award pending)

We are seeking a proactive and organised Business Support Assistant to join our hospital social work team on a temporary basis. In this role, you will Seaham

Recuriter: Durham County Council