So what will DOGE be looking for in the county?

Lancashire County Council has been given a hint of what to expect from the self-styled 'DOGE' team that Reform UK is sending in to assess the authority's finances.

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A letter sent from the leader of Kent County Council - whose DOGE assessment is already under way - to “whom it may concern” at the authority, sets out what will be analysed as part of the process.

The Post understands similar correspondence will be issued to the chief executives of all 10 Reform-run authorities ahead of their DOGE visits - although there may be tweaks to the contents made by each individual leader.

The Kent letter, published on X by Reform chair Zia Yusuf, states that the scope of the DOGE review will include, but not be limited to:

n contractual arrangements with suppliers and consultants;

n all capital expenditure;

n use of framework agreements and direct awards;

n any off-book or contingent liabilities;

n use of reserves and financial resilience;

n any audit flags raised by internal or external auditors in the last three years.

During the local election campaign, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage regularly derided Lancashire County Council in the national media for spending £520,000 on a four-year contract to provide its staff with “ergonomic chairs”.