A LOCAL government evaluation has urged Sandwell Council to carry out a “fundamental” review of its governance following a series of ethics and standards issues.

The scandal-hit Labour-led authority spent four days in January being assessed by the Local Government Association (LGA) which has today published its Peer Review Report.

The independent review praised the local authority for protecting frontline services through its budget planning and having a strong vision for the future of the borough.

Assessors praised the council for its strong management of finances and committed staff, while the recently-launched Vision 2030 was also highlighted.

‘Inadequate’ children’s services were also acknowledged by the council, but the report did note the new Sandwell Children’s Trust is due to go live in April 2018 in a bid to improve children’s social care.

But the key improvement – of 12 recommendations – was for the council to carry out a review of its governance to support “a culture of challenge, transparency, and achieving the highest standards in public life”, helping the authority demonstrate it is moving on from the “difficult standards issues”.

Bosses said a council-wide review of governance is already planned, while the LGA has offered its services as an independent adviser.

Councillor Steve Eling, council leader, said: “The report of the independent peer team is a clear thumbs-up for our sound budget and protection of frontline services.

“It shows our strong policy approach for dealing with the challenges ahead and how the authority tackles problems head-on.

“We welcome the peer team’s 12 recommendations, which will help us as we continue to protect and improve services and develop our vision plans to benefit everyone in Sandwell.”

The council’s chief executive Jan Britton added: “The report talks about the pride, passion and positivity I see every day in Sandwell, and everyone’s commitment to improve outcomes for local people.

“The report shows that, despite some difficult challenges, we are in a good place to move forward, build on our strengths and successes and develop our long-term strategies in line with our vision.”

The full report and recommendations can be read by visiting www.sandwell.gov.uk/peerchallenge.

But Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris criticised the report as “vague, woolly and a whitewash” that posed more questions than answers.

He said: “Cllr Eling assured us all that this report would wipe the slate clean. But it poses more questions than answers.

“I have requested a meeting with the LGA to discuss this further, as I find some of their conclusions vague, woolly and a whitewash.

“What Sandwell needs now is a strong, robust, independent investigation into the way the council operates. I am confident that more people will see this and develop the courage to speak out.”