Heather Jameson 09 March 2023

Commisioners praise progress at Liverpool

Commisioners praise progress at Liverpool image
Image: Yossa Song / Shutterstock.com.

Troubled Liverpool City Council is making progress, its commissioners have ruled, but there are still risks.

In their third report to the secretary of state, commissioners claimed they were cautiously optimistic about the council’s improvement journey – and they do not expect to extend the intervention.

It comes after the last report called for further powers to rescue the failing council, which in turn lead to the appointment of a Stephen Hughes as finance commissioner.

Since then, the council has come up with a plan to meet the budget gap, agreed its organisational structure, established a transformation programme and recruited Cheshire West and Chester chief executive Andrew Lewis as the new chief.

But, the commissioners warned there is significant risk on the horizon with a change of governance and political leaders as the council switches to a leader and cabinet model and all out elections with new boundaries.

The new leadership team, the transformation process and the culture change all require ‘close management’ the commissioners claimed.

Lead commissioner, Mike Cunningham, said: Although challenges and risks to continued improvement remain, we are cautiously optimistic that the current positive trajectory will continue.’

Interim chief executive, Theresa Grant, said there had been ‘a significant shift’ in the commitment to delivering change during her tenure.

I am particularly proud of the way the whole organisation, including frontline staff and elected members, rose to the challenge of delivering a realistic balanced budget in a very short period of time to put us on a stable financial footing,’ she added.

Responding to the report, local government minister Lee Rowley said: ‘The decision to end the intervention in Liverpool City Council will only be made when the organisation has demonstrated that its improvement is sustainable.

‘You have been clear that this is possible to be achieved in the next 18 months, but that it is not yet a given and will require determined leadership and focus.’

This article was first published by The MJ (£).

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Project Manager (Regeneration)

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
£49,359 to £56,057 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 9
With ambitious goals ahead, we need dedicated individuals who are ready to make a real impact as part of our expanding Housing team Leeds / Hybrid
Recuriter: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerPermanent, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

HR Advisor - Pay & Policy (Career Grade)

Wakefield Council
Grade 9 - Grade 10, Career Grade, 24 hours, Permanent
Are you ready to make a difference and shape policies that foster a high performing and inclusive workplace? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Leisure Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£12,013.50 - £12,202.00, Grade 3, 18.5 hours, Permanent
Are You Ready to Make a Difference in Your Community? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner