Issue

Contract management

12 stories · discussed at 3 council meetings · 9 councils

Councils are addressing persistent weaknesses in contract management and scrutinising major service agreements to ensure value for money.

Tower Hamlets Council faces persistent audit concerns regarding contract management, with external auditors EY identifying outstanding weaknesses in September 2026. Hounslow Council's Audit and Governance Committee also approved an audit plan for 2026/27 that includes contract management as a key area for review. This follows earlier reports in December 2025 highlighting significant weaknesses in Tower Hamlets' governance and financial management.

Councils are also scrutinising existing contracts and considering re-tendering for better value. Redbridge Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommended re-tendering leisure and culture services in July 2026. In the same month, Croydon Council's Scrutiny Children & Young People Sub-Committee flagged contracts with Veolia and FM Conway for closer examination as part of its future work programme.

These discussions follow earlier concerns, such as Southwark Council's Housing Scrutiny Commission reviewing major works projects in August 2025, which revealed failures in procurement and contract management. Enfield Council also faced a multi-million pound overspend on contracts in July 2025 due to procurement gaps. Islington Council's Audit and Risk Committee was scheduled to consider its external auditor's value for money risk assessment in September 2026.

Key facts

  1. Tower Hamlets Council faces persistent weaknesses in contract management, identified by external auditors EY in September 2026. Source
  2. Hounslow Council's 2026/27 Internal Audit Plan includes contract management as a key area for audit coverage, approved in September 2026. Source
  3. Redbridge Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommended re-tendering leisure and culture services in July 2026. Source
  4. Croydon Council's Scrutiny Children & Young People Sub-Committee flagged Veolia and FM Conway contracts for examination in July 2026. Source
  5. Southwark Council's Housing Scrutiny Commission reviewed major works projects in August 2025, revealing failures in contract management. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 2

  1. Redbridge Council De-escalates Health & Safety Risk Redbridge Council has removed 'Non-Compliance with relevant Health & Safety legislation' from its strategic risk register, classifying it as an operational challenge to be... Redbridge 8 November 2025
  2. Internal Audit Gives Croydon Council 'Substantial Assurance' Croydon Council's internal controls have received a vote of confidence, with an internal audit report giving the authority 'Substantial Assurance'. Croydon 2 August 2025
  3. Southwark Council's Housing Projects Plagued by Cost Overruns and Poor Quality, Review Finds Southwark Council's Housing Scrutiny Commission has reviewed major works projects on the Canada Estate, Fair Street/Devon Mansions, and Kirby Estate, revealing significant cost... Southwark 1 August 2025
  4. Enfield Council Faces Multi-Million Pound Overspend on Contracts Due to Procurement Gaps and Waiver Issues Enfield Council's financial oversight has come under scrutiny as it faces a multi-million pound overspend on contracts, according to reports presented at a recent General... Enfield 29 July 2025