Demanding Better Governance following Best Value review

At Monday evening’s Borough Council meeting we repeated our call for substantial reform in governance, scrutiny, and financial accountability. Responding to the Council’s initial proposals following the Best Value Inspection, the Liberal Democrat opposition pressed for firmer commitments to transparency, effective oversight and scrutiny.

Group Leader Mark Browne stressed the need for meaningful action, not symbolic change. He welcomed the Council’s decision to appoint, at the Government’s direction, an independent Chair of Audit and Governance and an Opposition Chair to the Scrutiny Committee. He also questioned how the administration would ensure these reforms lead to lasting improvements, particularly under the oversight of ministerial envoys for the next five years.

Deputy Group Leader Helen Speed noted that the Best Value Inspection consultation remains open until Thursday 22nd May, offering residents the opportunity to share their views on the Council’s governance and financial strategies. She encouraged residents to respond.

Our group will carefully review both the consultation feedback and the Labour administration’s formal response to the Best Value Inspection report promised at the June full council meeting. These will be crucial in assessing the commitment to meaningful reform.

Monday's meeting reaffirmed the Liberal Democrats’ determination to uphold democratic accountability, and to ensure that governance reforms deliver real, lasting change - not a continuation of the same governance processes that were so heavily criticised in the Best Value report.