Birmingham City Council’s Labour leader has been accused of failing to communicate effectively over plans to transform the beleaguered local authority.
In a public meeting to consult over the plans Sir Albert Bore attempted to reassure government-appointed inspectors that the city council is improving rapidly following last year’s Kerslake review.
It recommended strengthening the role of the chief executive, putting a plan in place for finances and moving ahead with a combined authority.
The Labour-led council faces being taken over by the Government if it fails to improve.
The Birmingham Independent Improvement Panel, appointed by Government, had invited the public to grill council leaders over progress.
New management staff are being brought in to oversee changes and a group called Birmingham Partners has been set up as a forum for the council and a wide range of other organisations to cooperate.
Opposition Conservative leader Robert Alden, however, accused the Labour leadership of not being open over the challenges.
Sir Albert responded: ‘Some of the points that have been made are wrong,’ and added that relevant documents were available on the council’s website.
