The government has announced the full package of interventions for Liverpool City Council following the Best Value inspection earlier this year.
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick, made the announcement in a written statement to the House of Commons.
The changes will see:
- All-out elections every four years from 2023, with no elections to be held in 2022
- The Mayoral election to be brought forward from 2024 to 2023 (dependent upon the outcome of a governance review over the future of the role)
- A move to one councillor per ward, except where it is deemed essential to have more than one ward member
Four Commissioners, who will oversee the authority’s highways, regeneration and property management functions and improvement plan over the next three years have been named as:
- Mike Cunningham QPM - Lead Commissioner
- Joanna Killian - Local Government Improvement Commissioner
- Neil Gibson - Highways Commissioner
- Deborah McLaughlin - Regeneration Commissioner
Mr Jenrick has asked the Commissioners to also have regard for the council’s:
- Boundary Commission submission
- Governance referendum
- Financial position
- Broader service delivery related to their wider improvement journey
Commenting, Mayor of Liverpool, Joanne Anderson said: “We are determined to deliver the changes required to deliver the best possible value for our residents.
“The entire organisation is committed to ensuring the improvements we have mapped out in response to the report are achieved.
“The Commissioners will be here to support and guide us on our improvement journey and we are ready to work collaboratively with them, utilising their significant experience and skills.”
Lead Commissioner, Mike Cunningham QPM added:
“As someone who grew up in the Liverpool area, I am honoured to have been appointed by the Secretary of State as Lead Commissioner for the government’s intervention at Liverpool City Council.
“I will be part of a wider commissioner team that will support the council as it continues its improvement journey to better serve the people of Liverpool.
“I am looking forward to starting this important work, which will include providing regular updates on progress to the Secretary of State.”
Last month, a meeting of all city councillors approved an 18-page document responding to the Best Value inspection, including a timetable for implementing various changes to how the authority conducts its business.
