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Written question asked by Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 15 June 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 29 June 2026. It was answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Labour) on Monday, 29 June 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Local Government: Standards

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what specific financial, auditing, or governance thresholds trigger an escalation from a non-statutory Best Value Notice to a full statutory intervention under section 15 of the Local Government Act 1999, particularly in relation to the oversight of major commercial transactions such as the proposed Anthropic data centre deal in Teesside.

Answer

The statutory guidance on Best Value Standards and Intervention sets out the different forms of intervention and indicators of failure which inform a best value assessment. There are no powers within a Best Value Notice, as it is a non-statutory tool designed to set out the Department’s concerns and request further assurance from an authority.

The Tees Valley Combined Authority’s Best Value Notice sets out that the Authority’s progress will be reviewed after twelve months. The Notice remains in place until the Department confirms whether we deem it necessary to continue to seek assurance through such a Notice or not, or that further action is needed. The Department continues to require assurance of the Authority’s compliance with the Best Value Duty and Ministers are currently considering appropriate next steps based on the available evidence.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL978
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Enforcement Local government Standards Tees Valley Data centres Anthropic
Legislation
Local Government Act 1999
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk