Dame Mary Ney has today (30 August) been appointed to carry out an independent review of how the government monitors colleges’ finances and financial management.

The review was first announced at the Association of Colleges’ spring conference in May, after Hadlow College was placed into education administration under the new FE Insolvency Regime introduced in January this year.

Dame Mary has been appointed to conduct the review given her extensive experience in local government, serving as Chief Executive of the Royal Borough of Greenwich and a government appointed commissioner to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.

The findings from the review are expected to be published later this year.

Terms of reference

In light of the financial difficulties at Hadlow and West Kent & Ashford Colleges, to review the way Government monitored and exercised its oversight of those colleges’ finances and financial management, and their effectiveness in practice, including the work of the ESFA and the FE Commissioner’s team; and to recommend changes that would reduce the risk of such problems recurring, taking account of colleges’ independence and the need to minimise regulatory burden.

Biography

Mary has had a distinguished 40-year career in local government, culminating in her serving as Chief Executive of the Royal Borough of Greenwich for 14 years during a period of major regeneration and service transformation in the borough, which won Council of the Year in 2013. She joined the DCLG Board as a Non-Executive Director in October 2016 and continued in this role for the MHCLG Board from January 2018.

Mary carried out the Review of the Governance and Transparency of LEPs (often known as the Ney Review), which was published in October 2017. The recommendations were accepted by the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and are being implemented.

In February 2015, Mary became one of five government commissioners at Rotherham metropolitan borough council, who assumed decision-making powers and were tasked with improving the council’s performance and helping rebuild the trust of local residents. Mary became Lead Commissioner in 2017 and oversaw the full restoration of powers back to the Council in 2018.

Mary is a board trustee of two charities. She was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2019 New Year’s Honours List, for services to local government.

Dame Mary would welcome written comments from anyone with views on the functioning of financial oversight of the college sector. If you would like to contact the review please email FEOversight.REVIEW@education.gov.uk.

This month, the Somali National Army celebrated the graduation of a further 98 soldiers from British military training in Baidoa, the capital of Southwest State in Somalia.

The UK has built a training centre in Baidoa, including a state-of-the-art firing range that was opened by Southwest State’s President, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, and the UK’s Africa Minister, Andrew Stephenson, on 21 August. Construction of 450 barracks for the Somali army has just started on the same site.

The 16-week training, involving a mix of theory and practical lessons, covered defensive positions, vehicle check points, dealing with improvised explosive devices, first aid, safe weapon handling and leadership.

The UK training has already shown its value. Attacks in Baidoa have fallen since the Somali army built defensive positions around the city as part of their course, and some of those on the course used their new skills in a successful attack against Al Shabaab in the area of Daynunay this month.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony, the Commander of British Forces in Somalia, Colonel JL Baynham, said:

The training is being delivered by highly experienced specialists. It’s focused on building really strong infantry skills, which are what the Somali army most needs to defeat Al Shabaab. The Somali soldiers are very able and keen to learn. We are already seeing the benefits, for the individuals, their units and the security of the area.

The British Ambassador to Somalia, Ben Fender, said:

The Somalis are working to improve security after decades of conflict and terrorism. The UK is a major partner and the only country providing military training outside Mogadishu. Baidoa is a vital location in the fight against Al Shabaab. We need to stay the course, but over the last year, Somalia has made real progress towards building its future army, and in conducting operations. We’re delighted to support that.

The course is part of an on-going programme of support to the Somali National Army’s 60 Division. Graduates will now receive additional medical, planning and command training.

The UK has delivered training to over 900 members of the Somali National Army since January 2017. The focus has been on medical skills, leadership development, intelligence, equipment care, logistics and the rule of law.

The country’s ports will continue to thrive after Brexit thanks to £30 million of investment from the government, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced today (30 August 2019).

The Department for Transport is today calling on ports across England to bid for a share of £10 million, as part of the Port Infrastructure Resilience and Connectivity (PIRC) competition, to help deliver upgrades which will enhance capacity and maintain trade flow.

On top of this, the government is providing £5 million to 4 key Local Resilience Forums (LRFs) – made up of emergency responders, councils and other public services – in areas with key freight ports. This will help them build infrastructure improvements to minimise any potential traffic disruption at the border.

A further £15 million will go towards longer-term projects to boost road and rail links to ports and ensure more freight can get where it needs to be faster.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:

We are leaving the EU on 31 October and we will be prepared whatever the circumstances.

As the UK continues to develop as an outward-facing global trading nation ready for a post-Brexit world, the resilience of our trading hubs is more critical than ever before.

This £30 million investment supports our ports in their work to boost capacity and efficiency, ensuring they’re ready for Brexit and a successful future.

The funding comes as part of the government’s £2.1 billion investment to step-up the country’s preparations for leaving the EU.

The PIRC competition will be open until 6 September, after which successful bidders will be given up to £1 million each to deliver infrastructure improvements. For example, this may include providing more HGV parking and container storage space or developing traffic systems to ensure the free flow of cars and lorries.

The £5 million for key LRFs is targeted specifically at delivering infrastructure improvements to manage road traffic around maritime ports with important trade routes with the EU.

It comes a week after the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government announced a separate £9 million scheme for local councils and LRFs to support their overall planning for Brexit in local areas and major air, land or sea ports. This funding could include supporting the hiring of additional staff or implementing regional communications campaigns.

The Department for Transport continues to prepare for all circumstances after 31 October and has been implementing a multi-channel information campaign to ensure hauliers have the documents they need to carry goods into the EU.

Today, the British War Memorial has been unveiled at its new location at the British Club Bangkok on Surawong road. It was located at the British Embassy Bangkok in Ploenchit from 1923 – 2019.

Admiral Tony Radakin, UK First Sea Lord, laid a wreath at the War Memorial unveiling ceremony. The event was attended by British Ambassador to Thailand Brian Davidson, Defence Attaché Colonel Roger Lewis, Chairman of The British Club Bangkok, Jack Dunford MBE and the British community in Thailand.

The War Memorial was erected at the beginning of 1923 to commemorate British servicemen in Thailand who gave their lives during the Great War. It was the first structure in the British Embassy Ploenchit Compound. The new location of the War Memorial reflects its historical significance to the British Community in Thailand.

Admiral Tony Radakin, First Sea Lord, said:

There are many people I would like to thank today including the British Club, which has taken the time and effort to have the War Memorial installed here in such a perfect setting. It is very meaningful for all of us that continue to serve.

The War Memorial represents the enormous sacrifice made by many, many people over the last century, but it is particularly poignant that we continue to commemorate the sacrifice made by the 25 names inscribed on this Memorial and their connection to Bangkok. We will remember them.

Jack Dunford MBE, Chairman of The British Club Bangkok said:

The British Club Bangkok is honoured to be the new and final home of the British War Memorial. Many of those who gave their lives were British Club Members at the time, including The Hon. Robert Abercrombie Forbes-Sempill, who served as the Club’s Honorary Secretary from 1903-1905 but, as a Lieutenant in the 5th Gordon Highlanders, was killed in 1915. The first Remembrance Service at its new home is on Sunday 10th November.

The War Memorial will continue to be the focus for the Remembrance Day commemorations each year in its new location. This year, the Remembrance Service will be held at the British Club on Sunday 10th November.