The government has confirmed that it will expand intervention in Slough Borough Council by granting commissioners further powers to “implement much-needed changes”.
Paul Scully, local government minister, announced on 1 September that commissioners in Slough will be given control over the recruitment of senior officers at the council.
In a letter to commissioners, Scully said: “I am writing to confirm that I am today (1 September) publishing revised directions under the Local Government Act 1999 that give you additional powers in relation to the structure of Slough Borough Council and the recruitment of tiers two and three staff.
“I understand that you intend to hold these powers in reserve.”
Commissioners were sent into the authority on 1 December 2021 to address the serious financial and management failures, which followed the issuance of a section 114 notice in July 2021.
Given the scale of the challenges set out in the commissioners’ report, I am granting further powers to commissioners to help implement much-needed changes.
Commissioners’ report
In July this year, the levelling up secretary confirmed that he was minded to expand the intervention in Slough following a commissioners’ report. After no representations were received opposing the intervention expansion, it has now been confirmed.
The commissioners’ report suggested that the council will not be able to achieve a path of financial and service stability within the next three years, as it currently does not have the capacity and skills.
The report pointed out that the council had “borrowed excessively” and could not work “coherently” due to a new officer structure, which was devised by the former chief executive, Josie Wragg.
Scully added: “Given the scale of the challenges set out in the commissioners’ report, I am granting further powers to commissioners to help implement much-needed changes.
“I am confident that these expanded powers will support the council so they can drive forward long-term change and protect hardworking taxpayers.”
We hope the commissioners hold these new powers in reserve and use them only if they feel we cannot make sound decisions ourselves.
Slough Borough Council’s response
In response to the further intervention, Cllr James Swindlehurst, leader of the council, said: “We accept the previous restructure and section 114 have left staff vacancies. There is an urgent task to fill the staff structure and have proper teams to do the jobs needed by the council.
“To get us to the place to be a functional organisation again we have accepted the commissioners may need the powers to get this sorted and we are cooperating.
“We hope the commissioners hold these new powers in reserve and use them only if they feel we cannot make sound decisions ourselves.”
—————
FREE weekly newsletters
Subscribe to Room151 Newsletters
Room151 LinkedIn Community
Join here
Monthly Online Treasury Briefing
Sign up here with a .gov.uk email address
Room151 Webinars
Visit the Room151 channel
