Chris Seeks Position Of BCP Council Re External Assurance Review

Christopher Chope Conservative, Christchurch

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will extend the deadline of 30 September 2022 for the submission of an application by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council for a capitalisation direction for financial year 2022-23; and if he will require an external assurance review of that Council's finances and governance arrangements.

Lee Rowley Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

The former Minister for Local Government wrote to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council on 02 September 2022, indicating Government's in-principle decision agreeing to provide the Council with up to £20 million of support in the financial year 2022/23 through the Exceptional Financial Support process.

As conditions of this in-principle support, the council are required to produce a full plan for addressing their 2023/24 budget gap and beyond and will be subject to an external assurance review of their governance and finance arrangements. My officials continue to discuss the latest position of the council with officers.

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