Mark Whitehead 27 January 2023

Commissioner ‘optimistic’ about council’s future

Commissioner ‘optimistic’ about council’s future  image
Image: Yossa Song / Shutterstock.com.

A Government-appointed commissioner says he is optimistic about Liverpool City Council's future despite warnings of ‘considerable uncertainty’ ahead.

Officials were sent to oversee some departments at the council in 2021 over a ‘serious breakdown of governance’.

Lead commissioner Mike Cunningham said a glimmer of hope about the council's future was beginning to shine through.

However, the commissioners warned there was ‘considerable uncertainty’ ahead.

Mr Cunningham spoke as the council faced a £73m budget gap, which could see services and jobs being cut.

A document outlining where savings could be made was published by the authority in November 2022.

The city’s mayor Joanne Anderson warned there could be a potential rise in council tax and an increase in fees and charges as well as a review of its libraries and fitness centres.

In a report to the council the commissioners praised the authority for identifying ‘significant savings’ and said it was taking an important step towards meeting its financial obligations.

But they warned: ‘However, there is still considerable uncertainty about the scale of the challenge, the robustness of the savings, and the adequacy of the response that will need to be addressed between now and when the final decisions are made in March.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Infrastructure Analyst

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£47,730 – £62,451 per annum
Job Title
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Project Manager (Major Projects)

Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council
Scale PO9-12, SCP 34-38, £47,665 - £50,908 per annum
Join us as a Project Manager and play a key role in the development and delivery of major highways Calderdale, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council

Principal Planner

North Yorkshire Council
£48,738- £53,051 per annum
Are you an experienced planner looking for an opportunity to work on significant, complex and high-profile development Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Principal Planner

North Yorkshire Council
£48,738- £53,051 per annum
Join one England's newest and largest unitary authorities, we're responsible for delivering services Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Principal Planner

North Yorkshire Council
£48,738- £53,051 per annum
Join one England's newest and largest unitary authorities, we're responsible Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner