"These powers could cover "governance, financial management and recruitment" at the Aspirerun authority but should be used "only where necessary"."
"he said the council was not "sufficiently mindful of, or able to assess its own position", adding that he was concerned the authority had "not understood the severity of its situation"."
"Reed referred to reports by the council's external auditor, Ernst & Young, in December, which identified 10 "significant" weaknesses in how the authority is run. These included an "absence of an effective internal controls environment to safeguard public money"."
The local government secretary is considering giving officials further powers over Tower Hamlets Council covering governance, financial management and recruitment, to be used only where necessary. The council welcomed the measure as an opportunity to support improvement and said it had shown progress. The Aspire party, founded by previously banned mayor Lutfur Rahman, has led the council since 2022. Three ministerial envoys were sent in January 2025 after a 2024 inspection found insufficient evidence that the council valued constructive criticism. External auditor Ernst & Young identified 10 significant weaknesses, including an absence of effective internal controls to safeguard public money. Envoys plan deep dives into licensing, planning, community assets, grants and patronage in recruitment.
Read at www.bbc.com
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