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Written question asked by Sarah Owen (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 July 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 July 2023. It was answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch (Conservative) on Wednesday, 26 July 2023 on behalf of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Tower Hamlets Council: Youth Services

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will take steps to require Tower Hamlets Council to publish the report on Mazars investigation into allegations of misconduct in the authority's Youth Service in the period up to 2016.

Answer

The Government is committed to ensuring the good record of transparency, probity, scrutiny, and accountability is maintained across councils in this country.

The Government expects a well-functioning local authority to act transparently in carrying out its functions. Local authorities must comply with the statutory Best Value Duty to make arrangements to secure continuous improvement, having regard to efficiency, economy and effectiveness. Local authorities are subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000, meaning members of the public are entitled to request information from them.

On 4 July, the Government published draft statutory guidance on Best Value Standards and Intervention for consultation. The guidance provides greater clarity to the local government sector on how to fulfil the Best Value Duty by describing what constitutes best value, the standards expected by the department and the models of intervention at the Secretary of State's disposal in the event of failure to uphold these standards.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
194915
Session
2022-23
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Disclosure of information Misconduct Youth services Tower Hamlets Council
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk