The Office for Local Government’s (Oflog) success depends on it being both independent, and seen to be independent, the LGA has told MPs.
Cllr Abi Brown OBE, Chair of the LGA’s Improvement and Innovation Board, gave evidence to the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee inquiry on the organisation in late April.
Oflog was set up by government to increase understanding about the performance of local authorities, warn when authorities are at risk of serious failure, and support local government to improve itself.
Cllr Brown stressed the importance of ensuring the organisation’s independence so that it is not subject to seeking approval from ministers for its work.
The LGA fully supports Oflog’s ambition for independence and believes it is crucial for the organisation’s success for it to be independent and to be seen to be so by the sector.
Some of the key issues discussed were Oflog’s relationship with the sector; and the Local Authority Data Explorer, and how together with LG Inform, the LGA’s own database for local authorities, it can strengthen councils’ performance transparency. There were also discussions on Oflog’s ‘early warning conversations’ and how these complement the LGA’s Corporate Peer Challenges.
Meanwhile, the LGA has paid tribute to Lord Morse, who stepped down from his role as the interim Chair of Oflog in March, for unexpected health reasons. LGA Chair Cllr Shaun Davies wished Lord Morse well and thanked him for his leadership, and for his extensive engagement with the LGA and wider local government family.
Cllr Davies said: “Lord Morse has brought essential integrity to the role and we look forward to continuing to work closely with Oflog, and his successor, for the benefit of the sector and the public.”