House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Local Government Best Value
22 January 2025 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Proposed by Jim McMahon Lab Co-op Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- Government intervenes in London Borough of Tower Hamlets due to failure to comply with Best Value Duty.
- Minister issues Directions under section 15(5) of the Local Government Act 1999, implementing a statutory support package until March 2028.
- Directives include appointing Ministerial Envoys and Assistant Envoys to work within the Council and report regularly.
Issue summary
The statement addresses the intervention by the government into the London Borough of Tower Hamlets due to its failure to comply with the Best Value Duty.
Action requested
The minister has issued Directions under section 15(5) of the Local Government Act 1999, implementing a statutory support package until March 2028. This includes appointing Ministerial Envoys and Assistant Envoys to work within the Council, reporting on progress regularly, and directing the Council to cooperate fully with these envoys.
Key facts
- Tower Hamlets Council is failing to comply with its Best Value Duty in relation to Continuous Improvement, Governance, Leadership, Culture and Partnerships.
- The statutory support package will be in place until 31 March 2028.
- Kim Bromley-Derry CBE DL has been nominated as Ministerial Envoy and Pam Parkes and Shokat Lal as Assistant Envoys.
- The Council must cooperate with the Ministerial Envoys and allow them reasonable access to premises, documents, employees or members.
- The support package acknowledges the political mandate of the Mayor while tackling deeply rooted issues.