Issue

Procurement

8 stories · discussed at 18 council meetings · 12 councils

Councils are currently addressing persistent audit concerns regarding contract management and governance in procurement processes.

Councils are currently addressing persistent audit concerns regarding procurement processes, with Tower Hamlets Council's external auditors identifying weaknesses in contract management in September 2026. The Audit Committee reviewed an interim value for money report, which noted four statutory recommendations and six significant weaknesses remained outstanding. In July 2026, three audits at Barking and Dagenham Council were flagged for limited assurance, including governance of council companies.

Haringey Council's Cabinet approved the commencement of a procurement process for adult social care home care and reablement services in March 2026, aiming to sustain and strengthen existing services. This decision was made to update the model for current market conditions. Looking ahead, the Employment Sub-Committee of Barnet Council will meet on 5 October 2026, and Lewisham Council's Mayor and Cabinet will meet on 7 October 2026, with procurement on their agendas.

Key facts

  1. Tower Hamlets Audit Committee reviewed EY's interim value for money report on 24 September 2026. Source
  2. EY identified persistent weaknesses in Tower Hamlets' contract management in September 2026. Source
  3. Three audits at Barking and Dagenham Council were flagged for limited assurance in July 2026. Source
  4. Haringey Council's Cabinet approved procurement for adult social care home care services in March 2026. Source
  5. Tower Hamlets Council faced 'significant weaknesses' in governance and financial management in December 2025. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. 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.

Latest stories

  1. Tower Hamlets Council Faces Persistent Audit Concerns Over Financial Sustainability and Controls Tower Hamlets Council continues to face significant audit concerns, with external auditors Ernst & Young (EY) identifying persistent weaknesses in the council's financial... Tower Hamlets 25 September 2026
  2. Schools audit reveals 'significant gaps' in governance An audit of Tower Hamlets Council's schools has revealed significant gaps in governance, with two schools receiving a limited assurance opinion. The findings, presented to the... Tower Hamlets 24 July 2026
  3. Three audits flagged for 'limited assurance' at council Three audits at Barking and Dagenham Council have been flagged for limited assurance, according to a report presented to the Audit and Risk Committee. The audits in question... Barking and Dagenham 3 July 2026
  4. Haringey Council to Procure Home Care and Reablement Services Haringey Council's Cabinet has approved the commencement of a procurement process for adult social care home care and reablement services. The decision, made during a meeting on... Haringey 14 March 2026
  5. Council praised in LGA peer challenge Barking and Dagenham Council has been praised in a Local Government Association (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge, which described the authority as an innovative and creative... Barking and Dagenham 22 January 2026
  6. Tower Hamlets Auditor Finds 'Significant Weaknesses' in Financials and Governance; Council Responds Tower Hamlets Council is grappling with 'significant weaknesses' in its governance and financial management, according to a new report from external auditor Ernst & Young LLP... Tower Hamlets 5 December 2025
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