Basildon Borough Council: Non-statutory review – terms of reference
Published 10 August 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
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Background
1. On 15 July 2026, MHCLG issued Basildon Borough Council with a Best Value Notice following concerns around the Council’s governance, culture and financial management. As part of the expectations set by that Notice, the Secretary of State commissioned a non-statutory review to provide independent challenge and assessment of the Council’s progress.
Purpose and scope
2. The review is intended to provide Ministers with an independent assessment of the concerns identified in the Best Value Notice.
3. The review will assess the Council’s compliance with the Best Value Duty across all themes set out in the Statutory Guidance. In doing so, it will focus in particular on some or all of the following three areas:
a. Governance
- Sense of strategic vision and direction
- Effective internal control environment and related processes
- Services
- Decision making processes
- Use of external assurance and audit
b. Leadership and Culture
- Political and officer leadership
- Member-officer relationships
- Whistleblowing
- Key senior posts filled with permanent appointments
- Effectiveness of the Golden Triangle
- Culture
- Capacity and capability
- Preparedness for Local Government Reorganisation
c. Finance
- Financial stability
- Financial governance
- Financial capacity
- Risk Management
- Financial risk
- Commercial decision-making and investments
- Procurement
Products and timeline
4. At the conclusion of the review, the review team will provide a written report setting out its findings and recommendations.
5. The review is expected to commence on 10 August 2026 and report to Ministers by 30 October 2026. The review team may be asked to provide further clarification and advice following submission of its report.
Appointments
6. Rob Walsh has been appointed to lead this review. He will be supported by Margaret Lee and Sharon Bridglalsingh.
7. To enable the timely completion of this review, the review team will be provided with MHCLG support staff.
8. The lead reviewer will be paid a fee of £1000/day for their work with supporting reviewers paid £900/day.
9. As the review has been commissioned by the Department, the costs of the review will be met by MHCLG.
Wider engagement
10. The review team will engage with officers and members of Basildon Borough Council, including the Council’s senior leadership, political leadership and members. They may also engage with past officers.
11. The review team may also engage with relevant external partners, auditors, peer reviewers and other stakeholders as appropriate to fulfil the scope of the review.
12. The review team should have access to relevant council documentation, reports, improvement plans and other evidence necessary to undertake its work.
13. The role of the Council’s leadership and existing improvement arrangements remains unchanged. The Council retains responsibility for leading and delivering its own improvement throughout the review period.