On 3 April 2025, The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government issued Tees Valley Combined Authority with a non-statutory Best Value Notice.
A non-statutory Best Value Notice is used by Government to set expectations for, and to monitor, the continued improvement of TVCA as the organisation carries out this work.
This type of notice is typically in place for 12 months – though it can be lifted earlier if progress is made.
Since receiving the notice, the Combined Authority has been working with key stakeholders including Cabinet, Local Authority senior officers, our Statutory Committees and the Local Government Association to develop a plan for continuous improvement.
A draft Organisational Improvement Plan and associated Action Plan was developed with – and endorsed by – TVCA’s Statutory Committees, associated boards, constituent Local Authorities, staff and other stakeholders. The plans, and their submission to Government, were approved by TVCA Cabinet on Friday, 27 June. Papers for this meeting can be found here. The plans were officially submitted to Government on Friday, 27 June.
The full Organisational Improvement Plan and Action Plan are now publicly available, alongside the submission letter sent from TVCA to Government:
As part of the plan an Independent Advisory Board, whose role is to support and challenge TVCA on its improvement journey, is being established. In the period since receipt of the Best Value Notice, the shadow Independent Advisory Board has met on three occasions. At Cabinet on 27 June, the six members of the full Board were agreed. These are:
Rob Whiteman – retired public sector leader, most latterly the Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)
Adele Gritten – Chief Executive, Local Partnerships
Mark Edgell – Principal Adviser, Local Government Association
Former Government Minister – currently confidential subject to the approval of Government’s Advisory Committee on Business Appointments.
Helen Edwards – Monitoring Officer, West Midlands Combined Authority
Sir Steve Bullock – former directly elected Mayor of the London Borough of Lewisham
The first meeting of the full Independent Advisory Board and TVCA will take place on 11 July.
FAQ
Why has this Best Value Notice been implemented?
TVCA received the Report into the Tees Valley Review in January 2024. This clearly stated that there was no evidence of corruption, illegality or wrongdoing on behalf of TVCA and South Tees Development Corporation in respect of the Teesworks site.
It gave 28 recommendations to TVCA, STDC, Government and Local Authorities – predominantly focused on Governance, Transparency and resource. On 27 September 2024, TVCA responded to Government with a list of actions to address these recommendations. Even before receiving the Report, TVCA had begun its continuous improvement journey.
This Best Value Notice is an opportunity to further outline to Government our dedicated processes, procedures and actions to embed these improvements into the core of our organisation. A full Improvement Plan will be submitted to Government by 3 July.
What improvements have been made since the Tees Valley Report?
Since January 2024, we have implemented new policies, procedures, reporting methods and increased staffing to satisfy the report’s recommendations – including the appointment of a Chief Operating Officer for Hartlepool and Middlesbrough Development Corporations.
The full response to Government outlining TVCA’s actions can be found here.
However, TVCA recognises we still have further to go, evidenced by our draft Improvement Plan. Continuous improvement is a priority for the organisation, both throughout the lifetime of the Best Value Notice and in its long-term future.
Does this have any impact on TVCA’s investment, developments or funding?
The Best Value Notice will not prevent further investment or action by TVCA, nor will it have any impact on future investment from the private sector. TVCA can still be in receipt of Government awards and funding while this notice is in palace.
Has Government appointed any external commissioners to run or oversee TVCA during this period?
TVCA is continuing to run its own operations with no external commissioners or overseers being brought in by Government. TVCA is also in full control of its ongoing improvement journey, with assistance from the Independent Advisory Board.
Further Resources:
Letter from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Letter from Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon OBE MP
Statement from Tees Valley Mayor
Committee Papers covering seeking endorsement of the Draft Improvement Plan:
News Article – Combined Authority Highlights Latest Efforts to Address Best Value Notice
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