Lead Member: Councillor Roger Evans, Portfolio Holder for Finance

Lead Officer: Duncan Whitfield, Interim Executive Director (S151)

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

(a)  Noted and agreed the findings, conclusions and recommendations contained within the CIPFA External Assurance Review attached at Appendix A.  

(b)  Noted that many of the recommendations align with priorities already being addressed through the Council's Improvement Plan and Financial Sustainability and Recovery Strategy.  

(c)   Noted that progress against the recommendations will be reported quarterly to Cabinet as part of overall Improvement Plan update reports. 

Cabinet considered the CIPFA External Assurance Review and the associated Best Value Notice issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The Leader emphasised that the report was an independent assessment of the significant financial, governance and organisational challenges facing the Council and acknowledged the need for continued improvement.

Members noted that work was already underway to strengthen governance, financial management, leadership capacity and organisational accountability, alongside delivery of the Financial Sustainability and Recovery Strategy. It was further noted that the review reflected the Council’s position in April 2026 and that progress had since been made, including reductions in the anticipated call on Exceptional Financial Support and the recruitment of senior leadership posts.

The Chair of the Finance and Improvement Scrutiny Committee reported the committee’s consideration of the review and supported the findings, while recommending regular monitoring of progress against the report’s recommendations, continued strengthening of financial controls and greater public accountability through the Improvement Board.

Members discussed the scale of the financial challenge facing the authority, the importance of maintaining momentum in implementing improvements, and the need for transparency with residents regarding the Council’s financial position. Staff were thanked for their efforts in supporting financial recovery while continuing to deliver council services.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

(a)  Noted and agreed the findings, conclusions and recommendations contained within the CIPFA External Assurance Review attached at Appendix A.  

(b)  Noted that many of the recommendations align with priorities already being addressed through the Council's Improvement Plan and Financial Sustainability and Recovery Strategy.  

(c)   Noted that progress against the recommendations will be reported quarterly to Cabinet as part of overall Improvement Plan update reports. 

To share the report of an ‘Assurance Review’ undertaken by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) as part of the arrangements associated with the Council receiving Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) from the Government.

Contact – Duncan Whitfield, Interim Executive Director (S151)

This item is a recent addition to the agenda and with the permission of the Chairman, the report will follow

The Committee considered the Exceptional Financial Support: External Assurance Review   report which shared the report of an ‘Assurance Review’ undertaken by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) in April 2026 as part of the arrangements associated with the Council receiving Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) from the Government, identified significant challenges facing the Council, and made a series of recommendations intended to support financial recovery and long-term sustainability.

Members welcomed progress but remained concerned that the council still lacked a clear, financially credible route to close the long-term budget gap. Particular concern was expressed about the need to move beyond process and demonstrate measurable delivery, sustainable savings, and transparent public assurance.

The committee broadly supported the report and agreed that recommendations to Cabinet should include strengthening the finance function, receiving a concise traffic-light summary of progress against the CIPFA recommendations, and improving the public accountability of the Improvement Board.