Oversight of Slough Borough Council Extended by Government

Government supervision of a specific council will persist for a minimum of two additional years. The financial affairs of Slough Borough Council will remain under the supervision of government-appointed commissioners. A minister indicated that “substantial” improvement is still required. These commissioners, empowered to assume control over the council’s decision-making, were dispatched to the Berkshire town following the local authority’s effective declaration of bankruptcy in 2021. Local government minister Jim McMahon stated that the council has not yet fulfilled its obligation to deliver “best value.” This announcement follows a report issued last month by the commissioners, which advised prolonging their intervention. Mr McMahon commented: “There are still a substantial number of areas which require further improvement at the council, and there remains volatility in the council’s overall financial position.” The commissioners’ report indicated that the council “will need to demonstrate that it can live within its means” before it can be permitted to operate autonomously once more. The report identified “too much volatility” in both its finances and leadership, and stated that the council must execute its property divestment program to address its debts and “further drive down costs.” Additionally, the report concluded that the council “does not have the confidence of its residents” and noted “low morale” among its personnel. Nevertheless, both the council’s leader and chief executive expressed approval of the announcement, stating they had requested the government to maintain its oversight. Council leader Dexter Smith commented that the extension provides the authority with additional time for improvement. He stated: “We know that there is no quick or easy way to turn round our council’s fortunes. The situation we are dealing with has been years in the making and so it will take years to resolve. We know there is no quick fix to reducing our extremely high debt levels, or to getting the council to live within its means and deliver best value services.”