The Government has appointment another commissioner to oversee Liverpool City Council following 'serious shortcomings' around financial management and senior leadership.

Stephen Hughes has been appointed finance commissioner with new powers over governance, financial decision-making and recruitment.

Mr Hughes, who previously worked as interim chief executive at Bristol Council, will ensure the council sets a balanced budget and delivers value for money for the taxpayer.

The latest report in June criticised the council for its slow progress in driving improvement measures.

Liverpool City Council lead commissioner, Mike Cunningham, said: 'Our last report, written in June, identified significant areas of failure at Liverpool City Council. We welcome the secretary of state’s decision to expand the intervention, and warmly welcome Stephen Hughes’ appointment as finance commissioner, who joins the team at a critical point in the intervention.

'We have been encouraged by the progress the council has made under the leadership of the interim chief executive and interim director of finance in recent months. However, the council faces substantial challenges in the next year, not least in agreeing a balanced budget, holding all out elections, and delivering a transformative improvement programme.'

The council said the report had been written before some recent improvements and changes in the organisation.

'It is worth noting that the lead commissioner, Mike Cunningham, has recognised that we are continuing to improve as an organisation and that there is a huge amount of work ongoing to change systems, processes and our culture,' said mayor Joanne Anderson.

The additional intervention is no reflection on the hard work of teams and individuals across the organisation who are delivering improvements and making a positive difference to the lives of residents.'