Nottingham City Council has appointed former Ofsted inspector Andrew Middleton as an independent member of its audit committee to bolster governance practices. Middleton’s mandate includes listening to, analyzing, and questioning decisions made by city councillors and officers. This appointment comes on the heels of the council declaring itself effectively bankrupt in November 2023, a situation exacerbated by previous weaknesses in audit and risk analysis systems.
In early 2024, the UK Government appointed a team of commissioners to oversee improvements at Nottingham City Council. Although the commissioners noted improvements in governance, they identified persistent “inconsistencies” that need to be addressed. Ineffective audit practices have been linked to poor financial management, notably contributing to the failure of the council-run Robin Hood Energy.
At his first audit committee meeting on February 20, 2024, Middleton expressed optimism about the council’s current direction. He stated, “I have nothing yet to suggest” that the council is not well-run under its current leadership. With over 30 years of experience in further education, including 18 years as principal at Stamford College and 12 years as a part-time Ofsted inspector, Middleton brings a wealth of experience to the role.
Middleton emphasized the core purpose of the audit committee, which is to strengthen governance systems and frameworks. He remarked, “My style is to listen, analyze, explore and ask questions. I’m very much looking forward to working with you to further strengthen your record as a well-run council.” He will receive an annual allowance of £4,000 for his contributions, which the council deems a cost-effective investment.
Adding to the council’s efforts to enhance governance, Lynne Dowdican has been appointed as chief internal auditor. Dowdican aims to provide independent and objective assurance regarding the council’s internal audit functions. During the meeting, she outlined her immediate priorities, which include reviewing the internal audit plan and evaluating the maturity of governance risk and control arrangements. She stated, “What I want is for the internal audit service to be independent, robust, practical, forward-looking, and collaborative.”
The council’s commitment to strengthening its governance systems is critical as it navigates challenges stemming from its financial difficulties. With new leadership in the audit committee and internal audit functions, Nottingham City Council is poised to implement necessary changes to restore public confidence and ensure effective decision-making processes.
