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Driving efficiency in public procurement
According to a recent report published by the National Audit Office (NAO), the government procured 72 per cent of its large contracts through frameworks in 2021-22 compared to 43 per cent in 2018-19.
The Local Government Association, Welsh and Scottish governments have cautioned public authorities about duplication of frameworks and the risks to value for money that stem from private companies operating frameworks. Rates as high as 5-6 per cent are levied, far greater than the Crown Commercial Service’s average rate of 0.7 per cent.
Although the Procurement Act, once in force, will capture information on the frameworks awarded under its powers, the government does not know how many frameworks exist, but third-party data service providers have identified more than 21,000 from published data.
The NAO’s report identifies six ways the government could tackle some of these issues and save local and central governments cash, including: enhancing competition within frameworks; establishing an accreditation regime for framework providers, with few frameworks overall; reducing levies charged on purchases; greater rivalry between framework providers; better data and greater transparency to improve decisions; and system leadership by the Crown Commercial Service for the procurement of common goods and services.
Towards an effective and financially sustainable approach to SEND in England
The LGA and County Councils Network have published new research looking at how we can create a sustainable and effective special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system and transform outcomes for children and young people. The report sets out a bold plan, and eight implementable recommendations, to transform outcomes for children and young people and secure the sustainability of the system. The plan is underpinned by the principles of embedding inclusion and improving support for additional needs within the mainstream system so children can get the support they need without a statutory plan, while also reforming long-standing issues within the statutory framework.
Government’s plans on planning reform and housebuilding
The government announced an overhaul of the planning system and a plan to increase housebuilding. The plan includes:
- introducing mandatory planning targets to deliver 1.5 million new homes over the next five years
- updating the National Planning Policy Framework to bring back mandatory housing targets
- ensuring every area has local housing plans
- building the next generation of new towns
- reviewing Right to Buy, including the eligibility criteria and protections for new homes, supported by a consultation in the autumn
- confirming that the third round of the Local Authority Housing Fund will be going ahead, with £450m for councils to acquire and create homes for families at risk of homelessness
- confirming that Awaab’s Law (forcing landlords to fix damp and mould within strict time limits) will be introduced into the social rented sector.
Local audit backlog
The Minister for Local Government and English Devolution has issued a written statement on the immediate actions the Government intends to take to address the local audit backlog. The proposals, which are supported by all key local audit organisations, include setting a statutory ‘backstop’ date of 13 December 2024 to clear the backlog of unaudited accounts up to and including Financial Year 2022/23. The proposed legislation would include five further backstop dates up to and including financial year 2027/28 to allow assurance to be rebuilt over several audit cycles.
Webinars throughout July - November | Virtual
15-17 October 2024 | In person/Virtual
19 November 2024 | Novotel London West
27-29 November 2024 | Arena and Convention Centre (ACC) Liverpool
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The LGA's membership magazine, 'first', is delivered free each month to just under 17,000 councillors and local authority chief executives. Access first online to browse all news articles, features and opinion pieces, including those from past issues.
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