Liverpool City Council is to have all of its powers returned to it in June 2024, with the ending of the Commissioner-led intervention.
The Government Commissioners have written to the Secretary of State, Michael Gove MP, concluding that the Council is “a well-governed, improving organisation, with ambitious leaders who are committed to long term change”.
They add: “If LCC continues on this path, it will soon be a Council that can achieve the value for money, good quality services the people of Liverpool have a right to expect for many years to come.”
The Council had already taken back responsibility for Finance, Highways and Transport in March, and the majority of senior appointments in January.
The Secretary of State has announced that he is minded to agree with a recommendation from the Commissioners, supported by the Council, for a Statutory Assurance and Improvement Board to be set up until March 2025, to provide oversight of the ongoing changes. More details of how this will work will be released in the near future.
Council Leader, Cllr Liam Robinson, said: “I would like to pay tribute to the incredibly hard work of officers, the Cabinet and Councillors in ending the intervention in the period originally set out.
“It has been a truly herculean effort, particularly over the last 12 months, to get us to this position and I am incredibly proud of everyone for their dedication and commitment.
“We are now a mature and focused organisation which knows its strengths and weaknesses, and we have a clear vision and plan to deliver well run, value for money services.”
Cllr Robinson added: “We know we still have a long way to go to prove to the people of Liverpool that we are a changed organisation, which is why we have jointly agreed with the Commissioners that there is a need for an Improvement Panel to provide a check on how we are transforming our services.
“When combined with the Futures’ Panel work around regenerating Liverpool, I believe this marks a new dawn for our city.”
Liverpool City Council Chief Executive, Andrew Lewis, said: “I have seen a tremendous amount of change in the 12 months that I have been with the organisation, and I am proud of the passion and determination from both staff and Councillors.
“There is an absolute commitment from Liverpool City Council to deliver services that make a real difference to the lives of our residents. Today marks a real milestone and a new beginning for our organisation.”
Lead Commissioner Mike Cunningham said: “We are pleased to be able to recommend a Statutory Assurance and Improvement Board from June.
“It is a real testament to the hard work of members and officers that we have been able to recommend taking this step to a Board, instead of continuing with Commissioners.
“With the oversight and support the Board will provide, I am confident Liverpool City Council will successfully implement the programme of improvement and ultimately, provide stronger services for the people of Liverpool.”
You can read the full report here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/liverpool-city-council-commissioners-fifth-report.
