Combined Authority Highlights Latest Efforts to Address Best Value Notice

Tees Valley Combined Authority has underlined the work taking place to address the organisation’s Best Value Notice ahead of providing a formal response to Government.

The Ministry for Communities, Homes and Local Government issued the non-statutory notice to TVCA on 3 April 2025.

The notice sets expectations for improvements and will be reviewed after 12 months.

Working with the constituent Local Authorities, TVCA Cabinet and all Statutory Committees TVCA officers have developed a draft Improvement Plan.

This included independently facilitated engagement workshops with TVCA Cabinet Members, the Transport Committee, TVCA Audit and Governance Committee, Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and senior officers of the Combined Authority and the five constituent Local Authorities including the Tees Valley Chief Executives, Finance Directors, Monitoring Officers and Regeneration Directors.

Local Government Association (LGA) also provided facilitation as part of the process. This extensive feedback has been used to shape the draft plan.

The draft plan directly addresses issues related to Governance, Partnerships, Continuous Improvement, Culture and Use of Resources.

Following extensive engagement with TVCA’s Statutory Committees and Cabinet, this draft will be taken to the Combined Authority’s Audit and Governance, Overview and Scrutiny and Transport Committees from 16 June, seeking endorsements or any final comments.

The draft Improvement Plan will go before TVCA Cabinet on 27 June. Cabinet will be asked to give approval to officially adopt the plan and respond to Government by its 3 July deadline.

Major public sector figures and LGA representatives will also establish an Independent Advisory Board which will oversee and guide the Combined Authority’s work as it implements its plan.

Tees Valley Combined Authority Interim Chief Executive Tom Bryant said: “We fully accept the Best Value Notice and are committed to demonstrating meaningful and sustained improvement.

“The Best Value Notice has given us an opportunity to take stock and work with our constituent Local Authorities and committees to strengthen relationships, understand how others see the Combined Authority and pull forward together for the good of local people.

“Invaluable input and support from our constituent authorities and committees has informed our draft plan, which sets out actions to embed improvements at the heart of our organisation. I’d like to thank everyone involved in this work so far.”

For more information on Tees Valley Combined Authority’s Best Value Notice, visit https://teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/about/best-value-notice/