Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Best Value Notice issued to Basildon Borough Council on 15 July 2026, what criteria will be used to determine whether the Council has demonstrated sufficient improvement after 12 months.

Ministers considered a range of evidence, in line with the Best Value Statutory Guidance, before issuing a Best Value Notice to Basildon Borough Council. The Notice sets out the Department's expectations, and future assessment will consider the Council’s progress against these expectations and the latest available evidence of compliance with its Best Value Duty. As set out in the Notice, Ministers expect the Council to demonstrate sufficient improvement and strong governance as it prepares for local government reorganisation.

The Regulator of Social Housing is responsible for assessing providers' compliance with its regulatory standards. Ministers considered the Regulator's published findings alongside other available evidence when deciding to issue the Notice.

The Department engages regularly with the Local Government Association on a range of local government stewardship matters, including the support for Basildon Borough Council.