Government extends TVCA's value for money scrutiny
TeesworksA Best Value Notice (BVN) placed on a combined authority has been extended past the 12-month period initially required by the government.
Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) was handed the notice last April, which required it to work with the government to make sure public money was being used appropriately.
The notice was issued on the understanding it would be reviewed after 12 months but the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) has confirmed it still remains in place.
A TVCA spokesperson said the authority was "continuing to work closely" with the government on the next steps of its "ongoing improvement journey".
The notice was issued after a review into the running and development of Teesworks, in Redcar.
The site, described in the report as one of the largest brownfield remediation projects in Europe, encompasses the former Redcar steelworks.
But the project faced allegations of "corruption, wrongdoing and illegality", according to the Tees Valley Review.
No evidence of corruption or unlawful actions was found but the report identified a need to "strengthen governance and increase transparency".
In December, the chair of the independent advisory board tasked with helping TVCA improve, Rob Whiteman, said the combined authority was on track to hit its targets.
He had also suggested he could recommend removing the BVN before summer 2026.
But MHCLG confirmed the notice would remain in place until at least its next review point.
It is unclear when the next review point is scheduled.
