Independent report

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council: external assurance review

External assurance review of Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council – financial review by CIPFA and governance review by Ada Burns.

• From: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
• Published: 2 November 2021
• Last updated: 21 October 2024 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

CIPFA local government finance review: Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council

PDF, 834 KB, 40 pages

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Governance review: Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council

PDF, 226 KB, 20 pages

Ministerial response to the review

PDF, 181 KB, 2 pages

Details

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council was one of a small number of local authorities to request exceptional financial support during the COVID-19 pandemic. The government agreed in principle to this request subject to the outcome of an external assurance review.

On 30 June the Secretary of State announced an external assurance review of Wirral Borough Council’s financial position and the strength of its wider governance arrangements. The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) led on the financial aspects of the review. Ada Burns, former Chief Executive of Darlington Borough Council, led on governance.

CIPFA’s financial review and Ada Burn’s governance review set out detailed findings, including conclusions, evidence and methodology used, and include recommendations for the future.

Ministerial response to the review

On the 2 November 2021 the Minister of State for Equalities and Levelling Up Communities, Kemi Badenoch MP set out, in a letter to the Leader of Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council, her expectations for improvement.

Ministerial response to the withdrawal of the panel

Jim McMahon Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, has today (18 October 2024) written to the Leader and Chief Executive of Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council, acknowledging that the Independent Improvement Panel has now withdrawn.

The Minister noted the panel’s assessment that the council’s strong and committed leadership has delivered significant improvements since 2021, including improved cross party working on financial and other matters, creating a working environment in which officers can best serve the people of Wirral and deliver political priorities.

Published 2 November 2021
Last updated 21 October 2024 + show all updates

1. 21 October 2024

   Added Ministerial response to the withdrawal of the panel.

2. 2 November 2021

   First published.