Slough’s commissioners’ third report allows for ‘cautious and early optimism’, but significant challenges remain for the borough council, local government minister Lee Rowley has said.

Following Slough’s takeover by the Conservatives in the May elections and a recent change in corporate leadership, government-appointed commissioners submitted their third report in July with their assessment of the council’s improvements.

Mr Rowley told the commissioners in a letter that the recent changes were ‘an excellent opportunity for the council to make significant progress towards resolving their best value failure’.

The local government minister said he was pleased that Slough BC had made some progress, including ‘improvement in report quality and financial oversight, improved scrutiny arrangements and a successful move to all-out elections’.

However, he wrote: ‘Over the coming months, I do need to see a clear quickening of pace of improvement, evidence of further implementation, clear change being embedded throughout the council’s business model and greater grip on the financial position.’

Slough BC said it welcomed the commissioners’ third report. Its leader, Cllr Dexter Smith, said: ‘We recognise there is still a way to go for our recovery, but we are committed to driving the changes needed so the council is sustainable, open and able to focus on the priorities of residents.’

Slough’s chief executive, Stephen Brown, added: ‘We have come a long way. Our asset sales are progressing well, we have a balanced budget for this year and last year we even managed a small underspend.

‘Despite this, our financial position remains challenging though we are all committed to Slough, our town and its residents and we will now continue to work towards financial recovery, furthering the significant progress which has already been made.’

If this article was of interest, then check out our feature 'Intervening at the local level' by Nick Graham, director for Legal & Democratic Services at Buckinghamshire Council.