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<p>All principal and combined authorities that operate with a directly-elected mayor
are required to have at least one overview and scrutiny committee to hold the executive
to account. Combined authorities must also put in place an audit committee to provide
additional challenge and, although it is not a statutory requirement, most principal
authorities do the same. Overview and scrutiny committees have powers to investigate
executives’ policies and their implementation, call in decisions that have been made
but not yet implemented, issue reports and draw attention to shortcomings.</p><p>Overview
and scrutiny arrangements are just one element of the wider accountability framework
for local government. Other key elements include: independent audit, codes of conduct,
complaints handling and whistleblowing procedures, statutory officers, and transparency
of information and meetings. As with all government policy, we keep the accountability
framework for local government under review.</p><p>Local authorities are independent
of central government. Ministers have no remit to intervene in the day to day affairs
of local authorities, except where specific provision has been made in legislation.
However, this does not mean there is no accountability for local councils. Local authorities
must act in accordance with legislation and are ultimately accountable through the
ballot box for the decisions that they make.</p>
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