Liverpool City Council’s three-year intervention by the government has concluded, and the commissioners’ final report stated that the council is “a well-governed, improving organisation, with ambitious leaders who are committed to long-term change”. This assessment led to a recommendation that commissioners conclude their role on 9 June. Senior appointments were made in January, and responsibility for finance, highways, and transport was taken back in March. The council will now create an Improvement Board, chaired by former lead commissioner Mike Cunningham CBE QPM, which is expected to remain in place until March 2025.
The council will establish the board on a non-statutory, advisory basis to support improvements to governance, service delivery, and financial management. Decision-making powers will be transferred to the council. A new Secretary of State will appoint an independent chair to oversee progress after the election. Liverpool City Council Chief Executive Andrew Lewis praised the commitment and hard work of council members, staff, and partners in improving the city’s services. The council will continue its improvement journey beyond the end of the intervention period, leading towards the “outstanding council the people of Liverpool have the right to expect.”
Mike Cunningham commented that the commissioners’ time at the Council was at an end. Commenting on the possibility of further Best Value intervention, he stated that it would be for the government elected on 4 July to decide. He expressed pleasure in continuing to provide support to the council as the independent chair of the new Improvement Board. The board’s membership and work program will be made available in due course.
The commissioners’ final report marks a significant development in the continuing improvements to Liverpool City Council, as the council takes responsibility for its governance and management. The board provides an advisory role to maintain the focus on long-term improvements to the city’s services, and the council anticipates its continued progress towards becoming an outstanding city council in the future
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