Guidance

Local growth programmes stakeholder roles and responsibilities in monitoring and evaluation

Published 11 January 2024

Introduction

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to set out the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders involved in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of programmes which target local growth (referred to as ‘local growth programmes’ throughout this document). The intention is to provide clarity for stakeholders on what is expected of them.

What type of funding is covered by this framework?

This framework applies only to programmes or funds which satisfy both of the following criteria:

• Levelling up programmes which target local growth to some extent (e.g., those which aim to improve economic performance at a sub-national level), and
• A spending or tax incentive programme where the Department for Levelling up, housing and Communities (DLUHC) is accountable (that is, it does not include other types of interventions such as devolving powers, legislation etc. or those led by other government departments).

It is not appropriate for devolution of powers (that is, it will not cover Level 4 Mayoral Combined Authorities or Trailblazers) to be covered by the framework established here since it follows different institutional and funding arrangements. However, many of the principles outlined may be applicable to devolution evaluation undertaken by DLUHC too.

In addition, housing related programmes are not in scope as there is already a separate housing monitoring and evaluation strategy. 

Stakeholder roles and responsibilities

Successful M&E needs collaboration between many stakeholders. DLUHC will seek to involve and collaborate with various stakeholders in M&E activity for the local growth programmes it delivers. The paragraphs below outline a summary of the roles and responsibilities we envisage different stakeholders playing in M&E for local growth programmes.

DLUHC

Lead evaluation and monitoring activity which will involve, but is not limited to:

• establishing suitable accountability mechanisms and governance
• determining what and how to monitor programmes and funds (for example, providing definitions and evidence requirements to places)
• determining what to evaluate and, in collaboration with external experts, how these evaluations should be carried out
• delivering monitoring and evaluation activity
• determine what data is required in line with data burden assessment principles outlined in the monitoring framework
• disseminating information and evidence to other stakeholders
• managing relationships with stakeholders and co-ordinating activity

DLUHC will, where appropriate, collaborate with several stakeholders to seek advice and come to collective agreement on these aspects

Places (for example, local authorities, mayoral combined authorities)

Follow and adhere to guidance and requirements set out by DLUHC for funds and programmes. This may involve, for example, providing data, monitoring information, and information that can allow DLUHC and its partners to understand who has benefited from funding, develop case studies and, where appropriate, link with other data sources to better understand the impact. This may involve providing beneficiary identifiers such as company registration numbers or national insurance numbers.

Collaborate and engage with the Department’s evaluation activities to support learning. This may involve, for example, taking part in interviews and focus groups, getting involved in opportunities for randomised control trials or helping facilitate the development of a case study.

As announced as part of reforms to simplify the funding landscape for local authorities, DLUHC have removed the requirement for places to conduct local-led evaluations in most situations. DLUHC conducts evaluations of its local growth programmes and recognises that mandated local-led evaluations have imposed disproportionate burdens on local authorities for the additional insight produced. Central evaluations have better data access and capability to conduct robust impact assessments, and so can deliver quality place-level insights within central department-led evaluations. However, in some situations the Department may ask places to complete their own evaluation where it is deemed proportionate and appropriate. Additionally, places may wish to complete their own evaluation for their own accountability purposes or if they see opportunities to generate learning. The What Works Centre for Local Economic Growth provides a range of guidance, training and support for impact evaluation that local policymakers are encouraged to access.

Other government departments (for example, Department for Transport, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Evaluation Task Force)

In some situations, other government departments may jointly be accountable and deliver funding to places. For example, Department for Transport is jointly accountable for the Levelling Up Fund alongside DLUHC. In these situations, the role and responsibilities of the other government department for M&E may include some of those outlined for DLUHC. In these instances, the exact roles of those departments will be agreed at the beginning of the evaluations and set out in a Memorandum of Understanding.

Collaborate, support and provide expert advice to DLUHC to define M&E requirements and processes. This is particularly relevant where multiple departments have an interest in the evidence produced. This may involve, for example, being a member of M&E Steering Groups to input and direct activity.

What Works Centre for Local Economic Growth

Provide advice, support and resources to help enable better impact evaluation activity for central and local government. For central government, this may come through membership of evaluation steering groups and ad-hoc requests.

Create and disseminate evidence on what works for local economic growth.

Academics and think tanks

Collaborate, support and provide expert advice to DLUHC through the evaluation process. This may involve, for example, being a member of M&E Steering Groups to input and direct activity as well as quality assuring research publications.

Evaluation contractors

In many situations contractors may be appointed and work on behalf of DLUHC to assist the roles and responsibilities outlined for DLUHC. This may involve, for example, conducting evidence and data gathering, providing expert advice on how to conduct robust evaluation, and completing an independent evaluation report.

Funding recipients and beneficiaries

Provide information and data requested by places or DLUHC and its partners (for example, if participating in a survey).