Government takes new measures to tackle crisis at Slough Council

The government will expand its intervention in Slough Borough Council after persistent failure to deliver best value for local taxpayers.

A report from the Commissioners submitted in June of this year revealed the council was facing an “unprecedented” scale of challenge, following years of financial mismanagement, piling debt and poor accounting practices.

The council was also plagued by governance issues, and despite the best efforts of commissioners, insufficient progress had been made to deliver proper value for money for Slough’s taxpayers.

To ensure council staff have the best support possible in place, commissioners are now being granted further powers to oversee the recruitment of the council’s most senior members of staff.

Local Government Minister Paul Scully said: ‘The people of Slough deserve a council that can deliver for their needs and drive long-lasting improvements and a brighter future.

‘Given the scale of the challenges set out in the commissioners’ report, I am granting further powers to Commissioners to help implement much-needed changes.

‘I am confident that these expanded powers will support the Council so they can drive forward long-term change and protect hardworking taxpayers.’

In July this year, the Levelling Up Secretary confirmed he was minded to expand the intervention in Slough. Having considered the representations made after this announcement, the decision to expand the intervention has now been confirmed.

Lead Commissioner Max Caller CBE said: ‘I am grateful to the Levelling Up Minister for confirming the expansion of the Directions and his support for Commissioners’ work at Slough Borough Council.

‘There is much to do and no easy answers. Getting the right officer team in place quickly is an important step in the council’s recovery and in delivering best value for Slough’s taxpayers.’

On December 1 2021, commissioners were sent into Slough Borough Council to address serious financial and management failures at the request of the former Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

On July 28, the current Levelling Up Secretary announced that he was minded-to expand the existing intervention in Slough Borough Council following the commissioners’ report on the failings in the Council. A period of representations was held which closed on August 11. The representations received agreed with or were neutral toward the expansion of powers for Commissioners and the Secretary of State has duly granted them.

Photo by Jordhan Madec