Recommendation 18

We are closely monitoring the establishment of the Office for Local Government which we believe could help to improve the functioning of local government. However, it is regrettable that the Secretary of State has not yet confirmed that the position of Oflog Chair will be subject to pre-appointment hearing by our Committee, despite our having first written to him about this matter in January 2023. We also find it regrettable that that Oflog does not yet have a permanent Chair. We consider the position of Oflog Chair to be critical to the functioning of local government and believe that Oflog, more widely, has a vital role to play in supporting taxpayers. We urge the Secretary of State to confirm in writing immediately that the position of Oflog Chair will be added to the list of posts subject to pre-appointment hearings by our Committee. (Paragraph 88) Council tax reform