The new administration at Barnsley Council has told councillors it does not intend to bring in an externally led audit team modelled on Elon Musk’s advisory group, despite campaign literature promising such a review.
Reform drops pledge to import 'DOGE' style team
Reform UK won control of the authority in the May 2026 local elections with election material that promised to "bring in DOGE" — a shorthand used on leaflets for the party’s proposed Department of Local Government Efficiency (DOLGE), modelled on Mr Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the United States.
But at the full council meeting on 16 July, the party’s cabinet spokesperson for core services, Coun Martin Bancroft, told members there was "no need" to import that external team, saying the council already had the necessary experience in its ranks and that an internal, line‑by‑line investigation of the accounts was under way.
“Basically there is no need to bring in DOGE as we have the experience in our team and our ranks,” Coun Martin Bancroft said at the meeting.
Opposition accuses Reform of breaking campaign promise
Labour councillor James Higginbottom challenged the decision and asked when residents should expect the arrival of the promised DOLGE team. He said the omission amounted to “another broken promise” from Reform’s campaign. The exchange followed public claims by the council leader that, upon scrutinising the books since taking office, the new administration had identified a financial shortfall.
Coun Bancroft cited what he described as a projected budget gap of £30 million in the council’s finances for the year 2029/30, while also insisting the administration would pursue an internal audit rather than appointing the external team referenced in campaign materials.
- Reform UK pledged during the May 2026 campaign to bring in an external audit team (DOLGE/DOGE).
- On 16 July, the cabinet spokesperson said the council would perform an internal line‑by‑line review instead.
- Coun Bancroft said there is a projected £30m gap in the 2029/30 budget.
| Key date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 2026 | Reform UK victory in local elections; campaign pledged to 'bring in DOGE' |
| 16 July 2026 | Full council meeting: Reform says external team not required; announces internal review |
| 2029/30 (referenced) | Cited projected budget gap of £30 million |
For residents, the decision means the new administration intends to rely on internal scrutiny rather than an outside team billed during the election campaign to seek out "fraud, corruption and wasteful spending." The disagreement between parties at the council chamber underscores continuing political tension as the authority’s finances and service decisions come under closer public and political scrutiny.
Questions remain for the administration about the timetable and scope of the internal review, what costs it will incur, and whether its findings will be published in full. Councillors also pressed for clarity over how the cited £30 million shortfall for 2029/30 was calculated and what immediate steps will be taken to address it.
The council is required by law to set a balanced budget each year, and any projected medium‑term shortfall will shape forthcoming budget discussions, council priorities and potential service decisions affecting Barnsley residents.
