Local Government Finance
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what progress her Department has made on developing accountability processes for institutions that secure single funding settlements at the Spending Review.
Answered by Jim McMahon
Integrated Settlements will be supported by the establishment of a streamlined, overarching, single assurance framework coordinated by MHCLG rather than multiple frameworks administered by different departments. This will build on and will be incorporated into future editions of the English Devolution Accountability Framework.
MHCLG’s Accounting Officer will act as the systems AO for the Integrated Settlement. Core accountability processes within the Authorities will be carried out by the Chief Executive, who will be responsible for agreeing outcomes with Government, local outcome delivery and value for money. Other government departments will sign off the outcomes and targets relevant to their functions. Further details on accountability arrangements are available at the following link.
Authorities receiving Integrated Settlements at the start of the next financial year are undergoing a readiness check carried out by a body external to government for additional assurance.
Further details of the Integrated Settlements for 2026-27 will be confirmed at the conclusion of Phase 2 of the Spending Review.
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