Liverpool Council has been warned there is “no room for complacency” despite an improved report from government commissioners.
The five officers have this evening delivered their third report into their three-year stay at the Cunard Building and said they have “cause for cautious optimism” about the council’s direction of travel. The 25-page report, submitted to Secretary of State Michael Gove, said while there “remains much to be done to meet the challenges of the next 18 months” the council is “demonstrating that positive change is entirely possible.”
Mayor Joanne Anderson and interim chief executive Theresa Grant were singled out in the latest report for their role in transforming the council’s fortunes. Reacting to the report, Ms Grant said: “I have seen a significant shift in the pace, energy and commitment to delivering improvements during my time at Liverpool Council, and it is good news that this is reflected in the latest report from the Commissioners.”
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The former Northamptonshire Council boss said she was particularly proud of how the council “rose to the challenge of delivering a realistic balanced budget in a very short period of time to put us on a stable financial footing.” She added: “We have also significantly upped the pace of our transformation programme with the aim of delivering services in our neighbourhoods in a much more joined-up and coherent way."
The commissioners said Ms Grant had shown “transformational leadership” during her time in post but the outgoing chief executive said the council could ill afford to let up. She said: “There is a determination that the improvements we are embedding across the organisation will deliver the improvements required by commissioners, but it is clear there is no room for complacency.”
Mayor Anderson said the latest report showed “justified and deserved optimism” for its improvement journey. She said: “The council is already a much different organisation to the one I inherited in May 2021.
“We have built on the hard work done over the previous year and over the last six months accelerated the pace of improvement. I am really proud of the work done during this period, and am particularly pleased that the commissioners have recognised the political leadership from myself and my cabinet has been the driving force behind the improvements.”
It was confirmed last week that Andrew Lewis would take up the role of chief executive on a permanent basis in the summer. Mayor Anderson said the changes made to date would ensure the commissioners are “out the door” on time in June next year.
She said: “While completely acknowledging that we have some way to go, this latest commissioners report recognises the positive strides made by the council over the next six months, and I am confident we are now on a solid footing to deliver the improvements required and ensure the Commissioners are out the door in June 2024.”
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