Best Value Notice

On 19 December 2023 we were issued with a Best Value Notice by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). 

The notice outlines concerns around debt relative to size, and reliance on commercial income as a substantial revenue source. Remaining in place for 12 months the notice represents a formal request to engage with DLUHC to provide assurance.

The Best Value Notice was issued following the publication of the independent capital assurance review undertaken by CIPFA in July 2023 which contained six recommendations.

The notice and review acknowledge that Runnymede Borough Council has engaged constructively, already taken action to mitigate risk, and has a strong grasp of its financial landscape. In August 2023, the Council provided DLUHC with an initial response to the recommendations in the CIPFA review including next steps to be taken at that time. This action plan is now being delivered as one of the workstreams in the Council’s non-statutory Best Value Response programme and is described as such in the Programme Charter.   

Relevant documents are provided in chronological order below: