The Liverpool Labour group is out of special measures, it has been confirmed.
In July 2021 a devastating review of the city's ruling group by the national Labour Party found evidence of bullying, misogyny and a toxic culture.
The national party inspection came just weeks after the revelations of the Max Caller government inspection, which lifted the lid on a shocking range of failures at Liverpool City Council and resulted in Whitehall Commissioners being sent to the city.
The Labour review - which was carried out by former minister David Hanson - found that "nothing less than a full reset of the Labour Party in Liverpool" was required.
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As part of the improvement plan, former Labour 'super director' Sheila Murphy was brought in to oversee the Liverpool group and bring forward the recommendations of the Hanson report. Ms Murphy has also been overseeing candidate selections for Labour ahead of May's all out elections and has come in for criticism from some of those blocked from standing again.
But now in an email from Ms Murphy to Mayor Joanne Anderson and new Labour group leader Cllr Liam Robinson, she confirmed that the local group has been taken out of special measures by Labour's National Executive Committee.
The email - seen by the ECHO - states: "I’m pleased to tell you that the NEC have agreed that Liverpool Labour Group should be taken out of special measures. I’ve worked with both yourselves, the Executive and the wider Group for 18 months and I’ve seen a transformation in behaviour, commitment and focus. All should be congratulated
"Joanne you and your cabinet have worked hard to make the improvements needed within the council to deliver positive outcomes for the people of the city. Tough decisions have been made and the senior management team of the council are on much firmer footings. The Mayor has ensured that the commissioners are much more positive and their third report to government reflects this.
"The Labour Group have come through difficult times as a result of the Caller & Hanson Reports and they have embraced the changes needed to fulfil the recommendations in the Hanson report. The Groups standing orders have been refreshed.
"The group have worked collaboratively to produce a budget that is both balanced and protects essential services. They have ownership of the decisions that were made.
"The production of the manifesto saw the group at its best – bursting with ideas for their communities and the city."
In her email, Ms Murphy said the Labour group is now "outward looking, talking to residents rather than themselves," and added that 3,892 conversations took place across the city last month.
She also claimed that the move from Mayoral model to Leader model of governance has been "seamless" and that the working relationship with the commissioners is "positive."
She added: "We are fielding 85 candidates in May – they have all had training to prepare them for office but also the Leader and Whip are already putting together a schedule post May to ensure training is ongoing. That, alongside the mentoring scheme, will help to get the best out of all Cllrs and ensure past mistakes are never made again. 50% of our candidates are women and we have improved the ethnic diversity. Our candidates come from diverse backgrounds ranging from a barrister to a postman
As well as paying tribute to the mayor and group leader, Ms Murphy praised chief whip Ruth Bennett for playing a key role in "
"I want to thank you both for your input into the improvement but I would also like to thank Ruth Bennett as Chief Whip. She "ensuring discipline is enforced in a fair and balanced way."
Ms Murphy added; I am confident that Liverpool Labour Group will go from strength to strength. I wish you both and the Group all the very best for the future."
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