A REPORT on the review of BCP Council’s governance and financial arrangement will be made available to public.

The government has provided confirmation of this to Christchurch MP Sir Christopher Chope.

Conservative backbencher Sir Christopher asked levelling-up secretary Michael Gove when the external assurance review of the council will take place, who will conduct the review and whether MPs will be able to give evidence.

Read more: BCP Council finance and governance review still likely

Lee Rowley MP, parliamentary under secretary of state, said the government department continues to make progress on the necessary arrangements.

Mr Rowley said: “BCP’s external assurance review will be led by a sector expert and, whilst the review will not be conducted through public hearings, the assessor will speak with key officers and members, review relevant documentation and consider any representations from other sources (as they deem necessary) – I expect and will ask for the assessor to contact members of parliament as part of this process.

“The final report will be publicly available and published on gov.uk.”

Read more: BCP Council's auditors compile scathing report on finances

The planned review first came to light as a condition of the government’s minded-to capitalisation direction for BCP Council to borrow up to £20million to plug a hole in this year’s transformation budget.

Council leaders are now looking to sell “non-strategic assets” by the end of March, with the borrowing seen as a back up option.

The government has indicated the assurance review will take place even if the council does not press ahead with the capitalisation direction.