Independent report

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council: external assurance review

External assurance review of Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council – financial review by CIPFA and governance review by Ada Burns.

Applies to England

Documents

CIPFA local government finance review: Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council

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Ministerial response to the review

Details

Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council was one of a small number of local authorities to request exceptional financial support during the COVID-19 pandemic. The government agreed in principle to this request subject to the outcome of an external assurance review.

On 30 June the Secretary of State announced an external assurance review of Wirral Borough Council’s financial position and the strength of its wider governance arrangements. The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) led on the financial aspects of the review. Ada Burns, former Chief Executive of Darlington Borough Council, led on governance.

CIPFA’s financial review and Ada Burn’s governance review set out detailed findings, including conclusions, evidence and methodology used, and include recommendations for the future.

Ministerial response to the review

The Minister of State for Equalities and Levelling Up Communities, Kemi Badenoch MP has set out, in a letter to the Leader of Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council, her expectations for improvement.

Published 2 November 2021