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Reform to begin Musk-style audits of councils

(165 Posts)
Wyllow3 Mon 02-Jun-25 12:14:54

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"?

Cossy Mon 02-Jun-25 12:14:34

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?

Cossy Mon 02-Jun-25 12:13:59

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 Mon 02-Jun-25 12:11:27

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

GrannyGravy13 Mon 02-Jun-25 12:10:00

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

GrannyGravy13 Mon 02-Jun-25 12:08:50

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 Mon 02-Jun-25 12:08:45

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!

Wyllow3 Mon 02-Jun-25 12:06:19

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 Mon 02-Jun-25 12:03:12

* parlous

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Mon 02-Jun-25 12:02:31

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.

Cossy Mon 02-Jun-25 12:01:45

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.

Oreo Mon 02-Jun-25 11:55:29

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.

Whitewavemark2 Mon 02-Jun-25 11:42:05

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

Bloody fools.

Wyllow3 Mon 02-Jun-25 11:40:07

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?

Wyllow3 Mon 02-Jun-25 11:35:13

"Reform has announced it will send its first Elon Musk-style Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) team into local authorities to assess "wasteful spending".

The party said the first council to be audited will be Kent County Council, one of the councils the party took control of in May's local elections.

In a statement released late on Sunday, party chairman Zia Yusuf said it would be

led by one of the UK's leading tech entrepreneurs", although it is not yet known who that is

The leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition in Kent said he believes it will be "more performance than substance".

It follows the US Doge, which was launched during Donald Trump's presidency to cut federal spending. Billionaire Musk was involved but has since left his position spearheading the unit.

Reform said a team of software engineers, data analysts and forensic auditors will "visit and analyse" local authorities.

But Antony Hook, the Liberal Democrat opposition leader on Kent County Council, questioned the need for a team of outside auditors

He told BBC Radio Kent: "We have at KCC a governance and audit committee, that was due to have its first meeting since the election next week.

"Reform have cancelled it.

The health and scrutiny committee was meant to meet, Reform have cancelled it. Reform have cancelled most of the committee meetings for this week or next week, without any explanation

"They haven't even named who their nominees are to chair these important committees are.

If Reform were serious about making the council work well they would be getting their councillors to do this job, not bringing in unnamed anonymous people who haven't been elected

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpw70j1k540o#comments

It interesting reading the comments on the article.

for example

"Musk's DOGE initiative was a massive failure - unaccountable, symbolic and a waste of money. Expect Reform's poundshop version to be even worse. Besides, you can't just sack people like in the US"

"My guess is that Reform's PR stunt DOGE style audit will end up costing the taxpayer more than it ever finds in savings"