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Issue

Contract Management

13 stories · discussed at 4 council meetings · 11 councils

Councils are currently addressing weaknesses in contract management and financial controls, with several undertaking audits and reviewing contracts for better value.

An independent review in October 2026 found Lambeth Council at risk of non-compliance in financial areas, including an inability to consistently evidence value for money in contracts. In September 2026, external auditors identified persistent weaknesses in Tower Hamlets Council's contract management and financial controls. Hounslow Council's Audit and Governance Committee also approved an audit plan for 2026/27, focusing on contract management.

For better value, Redbridge Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommended re-tendering leisure and culture services in July 2026, proposing to split them into three contracts. Also in July 2026, Croydon Council's Scrutiny Children & Young People Sub-Committee flagged contracts with Veolia and FM Conway for closer examination, highlighting the need for robust contract management in its future work programme.

Contract management involves overseeing agreements with external suppliers and other parties to ensure they are performed as agreed, meet obligations, and achieve value for money. Councils use these processes to manage a wide range of services and projects.

Key facts

  1. Lambeth Council was found to be at risk of non-compliance in eight key financial areas, including evidencing value for money in contracts, in October 2026. Source
  2. External auditors identified persistent weaknesses in Tower Hamlets Council's contract management in September 2026. Source
  3. Hounslow Council's 2026/27 audit plan includes contract management as a key area for coverage. Source
  4. Redbridge Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommended re-tendering leisure and culture services in July 2026. Source
  5. Croydon Council's Scrutiny Children & Young People Sub-Committee flagged Veolia and FM Conway contracts for examination in July 2026. 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 23 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 2

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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