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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 triggers or powers exist within an active non-statutory Best Value Notice to allow ministers to directly halt, review, or block a major commercial asset disposal—such as the proposed Anthropic data centre transaction at Teesworks—whilst the relevant combined authority's accounts remain disclaimed by external auditors.

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
HL979
Session
2026-27
Related items
Tees Valley Combined Authority: Standards
Thursday, 16 July 2026
Written questions
House of Lords
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Enforcement Local government Standards
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk