Reform to begin Musk-style audits of councils

Sorry that was so long. I think what stands out is - what cost to councils will this army of " Teams of software engineers, data analysts and forensic auditors will "visit and analyse" local authorities" cost?

Well we can all agree that DOGE went well🙄. 😄😄

Bloody fools.

I don’t think we need DOGE style audits but all Councils do need a rigorous one to prevent certain Councils going bust or paying for extraneous ‘stuff’ before getting the basics right often driven by political ideology.

Oreo

I don’t think we need DOGE style audits but all Councils do need a rigorous one to prevent certain Councils going bust or paying for extraneous ‘stuff’ before getting the basics right often driven by political ideology.

The biggest issue here is all the Reform Council’s lack of experience!

Yes indeed audit, but first learn your role, know your council and check on all statutory services.

Nothing wrong in my book assessing the accounts and ensuring residents who vote these councils in are getting value for money and that any ‘vanity projects’ are ditched in these parlours economic times.

* parlous

Our local council (Lib/Lab coalition) did used to do what you might call extraneous ‘stuff' but thats gone in the recent funding breakdown I've seen. Like other councils they are altering the SEND transport rules already.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Nothing wrong in my book assessing the accounts and ensuring residents who vote these councils in are getting value for money and that any ‘vanity projects’ are ditched in these parlours economic times.

I agree, but you do not use teams of external people to do so.

I daresay some of these “teams” will be connected in some way to Reform!

Stinks of Trump!

Nothing wrong with an in-depth look at the accounts, as long as they keep essential services.

All businesses and government bodies should look at how and where the money is spent.

cossy sometimes a fresh pair of eyes (external team) can identify things that others have missed.

The country is skint. We have to spend what we do very mindfully. Servicing our debt alone is eye watering.

GrannyGravy13

cossy sometimes a fresh pair of eyes (external team) can identify things that others have missed.

Yes I agree, but I don’t think it requires “teams” from outside, they should be having their committee meetings as well as anything else, Scrutiny is a vital committee and they do have fresh eyes, the new councillors!

FriedGreenTomatoes2

The country is skint. We have to spend what we do very mindfully. Servicing our debt alone is eye watering.

I agree, do you not think these “teams” will cost a fortune?

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Nothing wrong in my book assessing the accounts and ensuring residents who vote these councils in are getting value for money and that any ‘vanity projects’ are ditched in these parlours economic times.

Which vanity projects in Manchester do you object to that aren't already known and out in the public arena already discussed and debated? I found 3 and they aren't "unknown" at all far from it

So what point spending a lot on an "audit"?

FriedGreenTomatoes2

The country is skint. We have to spend what we do very mindfully. Servicing our debt alone is eye watering.

Or worse.
Some Councils are in big debt positions.

It's just that so many councils are close to bankruptcy that already they are searching for anything they can save on desperate to keep care services going. Its not hard to observe cuts going about everyday life and the conflicts between for example valuable regenerating city centres or keeping deprived area' green spaces going versus the costs of doing it.

Per the Times... The new unit will visit and analyse all ten councils now controlled by Reform since the party’s victory in last month’s local elections. Kent county council has a budget of more than £2.5 billion.
So not every council. Tbh it will be interesting to see what they find?

It will indeed visgirl. Transparency but with an eye to culling DEI nonsense. Meritocracy all the way and it doesn’t needed brightly coloured lanyards and posters to virtue signal either.

Sounds good to me.

The flagrant incompetence and subsequent profligate waste on display at Bradford Council is simply breathtaking. A bankrupt council that had just imposed a 10% council tax increase thinks it is okay to spend £250k on a 20mph scheme that 90% of the residents don’t want. Meanwhile potholes need filling. 🤷‍♀️

FriedGreenTomatoes2

It will indeed visgirl. Transparency but with an eye to culling DEI nonsense. Meritocracy all the way and it doesn’t needed brightly coloured lanyards and posters to virtue signal either.

IMO, DEI is NOT nonsense, the amount spent in these areas are negligible and with two daughters with neurodivergent brains, working full time, it offer protection and opportunities they may not have enjoyed! It’s about levelling the playing field and inclusion, not favouring these people, assisting them.

I would just like to draw your attention to one Reform councillor called David Wimble, long term pal of Nigel Farage and recently reelected to the now Reform-controlled Kent Council Council.

Kent County Council (KCC), responsible for a staggering £1.5 billion net revenue budget that funds critical services from education to social care, faces intensified scrutiny as local elections approach, with concerns mounting over candidates’ financial literacy. The issue crystallized during a recent Folkestone & Hythe District Council meeting on February 26 when one sitting councillor—now seeking election to KCC—openly admitted, “Numbers have never been my big thing, which is why I was so shocked to find out I’ve been put on the committee dealing with the accounts.

You couldn't make this stuff up.

I predict Reform’s findings will be a real eye-opener.

I’m continually reading how these councils ‘diversity and equality’ managers are earning eye watering salaries for their made up non-jobs.

Meanwhile councils claim they are strapped for cash.

My bugbear is procurement issues. A friend worked in local authority and 25 years ago she went to the local admin manager saying she needed a desk lamp and had found one in Ryman’s (her local store) for a tenner (which included VAT).

Oh no, she was told. Shecould only order one through the Council’s contracted supplier so was given a very thick full colour glossy catalogue.

Guess what? The same desk lamp as the one in Rymans was £85 (not including VAT).

I’ve always remembered this illustration of how money truly is wasted. There will be a lot of waste uncovered I bet.