Commissioners at Liverpool are set to take on governance and financial decision making in an extension of their powers following a damning report.
Levelling up secretary Greg Clark said he was minded to transfer more powers after hearing of ‘slow progress’ made by the city council in the commissioners’ latest report.
He has also announced the establishment of the Liverpool Strategic Futures Advisory Panel chaired by Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotheram to work on a long-term plan for the city.
Mr Clark said: ‘The commissioners’ report shows that there are still serious shortcomings that need to be sorted out, especially in financial management.
‘But I want this to be a turning point at which the city of Liverpool can see a bright future that lives up to the power this great city embodies.’
The council has also appointed Theresa Grant as interim chief executive.
Ms Grant is a former CEO of Trafford MBC and most recently took the reins at Northamptonshire CC to help turn things around after twice issuing section 114 notices.
Mr Clark intends to appoint a further commissioner to oversee the financial management and and to transfer ‘functions associated with governance and financial decision-making’, along with recruitment powers.
Lead commissioner Mike Cunningham said: ‘We welcome the secretary of state’s decision to expand the directions, and the creation of the strategic futures panel.’
He added: ‘We have every confidence that Theresa is the right person to drive the positive change needed at the council from the top down.’
The advisory panel will be tasked with creating a long-term plan to drive growth in skills, jobs and opportunities.
Mr Rotheram will be joined by Sir Howard Bernstein who was chief executive of Manchester City Council from 1999 to 2017, and Baroness Judith Blake, who stood down as leader of Leeds City last year.
An ‘experienced business leader’ will also be asked to join them.
Liverpool Mayor Joanne Anderson said: ‘I welcome the Liverpool Strategic Futures Panel, which will be chaired by the city region’s metro mayor, ensuring that Liverpool’s future remains in Liverpool’s hands.’
She said the council will now prepare a response to the recommendation on further intervention.
This article first appeared in The MJ (£).
