Transparency data

Grenfell site and programme: accounting officer assessment for the Government Major Projects Portfolio

Updated 23 August 2021

Applies to England

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Background and context

MHCLG’s Single Departmental Plan sets out the department’s objective to ‘secure effective support for those affected by the Grenfell Tower disaster, delivering the changes this tragedy demands and ensuring people are safe and feel safe within their homes’. As part of this, since the government became guardian of the Grenfell Tower site in July 2019, MHCLG is responsible for, and committed to, keeping the site safe and secure until a decision is reached both about its future, and until the community has determined a fitting memorial to honour those who lost their lives in the tragedy.

MHCLG established the Grenfell Site & Programme to:

  • Be responsible for the management of the site, including making operational decisions, to ensure it remains safe and secure until a decision is reached both about its future, and until the community has determined a fitting memorial to honour those who lost their lives in the tragedy.
  • Ensure that all decisions will be evidence-based and informed by experts, with health and safety continuing to take priority, and ensuring the community continues to be engaged at every step of the way towards a fitting memorial, in line with the principles outlined to Parliament in 2018 .
  • Support independent Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission and the community in their creation of a lasting memorial to honour those who lost their lives in the tragedy. The independent Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission is developing the community-led vision for a memorial and their work is progressing. Bereaved families, survivors and the local community will continue to be at the heart of determining what the future memorial will be.

Regularity

The Grenfell Site and Programme is assessed as regular as defined in Managing public money. It relies on the inherent (common law) powers of the Secretary of State (as legal owner of the Grenfell Tower site) to deal with the land and buildings and is in line with the government’s responsibilities.

Propriety

The Grenfell Site and Programme meets the standards governing the use of public funds and, meets the requirements in Managing public money and accords with the generally understood principles of public life. In addition, the Grenfell Site and Programme is administered to a standard where the risks associated with the policy or proposal are acceptable.

Value for money

Decisions are made in line with the principles outlined to Parliament in 2018. The Grenfell Site and Programme is managed with consideration of the principles of value for money, as with all government work.

Feasibility

The Grenfell Site and Programme is assessed as a major programme throughout its lifecycle in line with the standards outlined by the Infrastructure and Project Authority (IPA) and their gateway processes. The Grenfell Site and Programme has its feasibility for delivery assessed and assured by an established governance model, including internal programme assurance boards. In addition to these internal measures, the programme is reviewed for its feasibility and control by the Infrastructure & Projects Authority (IPA) and the Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA). The programme is controlled via the IPA’s gateway process and the IPA assesses the programme on a quarterly basis; any concerns will be communicated with relevant mitigating actions.

Conclusion

As the Accounting Officer for the Grenfell Site and Programme, I considered this assessment of the Grenfell Site and Programme and approved it on 23 June 2021.

I am satisfied the programme:

  • carries out the appropriate level of assurance and governance;
  • is suitably managing government’s responsibilities in relation to the Grenfell Tower site;
  • is managed with consideration to the principles of value for money akin to all government work; and
  • is feasible to deliver.

Therefore, I am satisfied that the programme is a good use of public resources.

Jeremy Pocklington Accounting officer 23 June 2021

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