Local Authority Accountability Framework Review Panel

The Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has convened the owners of the local government governance and accountability framework to form the Local Authority Governance and Accountability Framework Review Panel. The overall aim of the Panel is to assess the governance and accountability framework to determine whether it is fit for purpose, and provide advice and recommendations to MHCLG.

Roles and responsibilities

Panel members will be expected to represent their organisations by providing feedback on thematic elements of the governance and accountability framework. The Panel will provide recommendations which must be focused on practical changes to improve the framework. These must be feasible to implement in the short to medium term. The success of the Panel will be determined by the extent to which it achieves these objectives. The Panel will work to an agreed workplan that will be reviewed on a regular basis. The Panel’s discussions and recommendations will operate in a transparent manner, with the minutes of meetings published.

Membership of the Panel

The Panel currently includes the following members:

  • Chair: Catherine Frances, Director General for Local Government and Public Services
  • Mike Newbury, Audit Policy, National Audit Office
  • Michael King, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman
  • Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive, Local Government Association
  • Graeme McDonald, Managing Director, SOLACE
  • Jacqui McKinlay, Chief Executive, Centre for Public Scrutiny
  • Abdool Kara, Executive Leader for Local Services, National Audit Office
  • Martin Swales, President, SOLACE (Chief Executive South Tyneside MBC)
  • Rob Whiteman, Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.
  • Quentin Baker, President, Lawyers in Local Government (Chief Legal Officer, Hertfordshire County Council)
  • Duncan Whitfield, President, Association of Local Authorities’ Treasurer Societies (Strategic Director of Finance and Governance, Southwark Council)

The Panel will co-opt additional members or invite representatives from other government departments or the sector to attend as they see appropriate.

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