Press release

Commissioners sent into Slough Borough Council

Commissioners have been sent in to address serious financial and management failures at Slough Borough Council at the request of the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

From:
Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and The Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP
Published
1 December 2021
  • Max Caller CBE leads government intervention
  • Council transformation to start with immediate effect
  • Commissioners will inform decisions on exceptional financial support

Commissioners have been sent in to address serious financial and management failures at Slough Borough Council at the request of the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities today (1 December 2021).

Local Government Minister Kemi Badenoch updated Parliament last month that the Department was minded to intervene in the council after an independent review uncovered a “deeply concerning picture of mismanagement, a breakdown in scrutiny and accountability, and a dysfunctional culture at Slough Borough Council”.

Residents and councillors have voiced their support for government intervention and the proposal to appoint commissioners. The council has also accepted the findings of the review and has agreed to work with commissioners to make real improvements to its services.

Local Government Minister Kemi Badenoch MP said:

There is overwhelming evidence that Slough Borough Council has failed its residents and it is necessary for government to intervene.

I have appointed experienced commissioners who will start the process of rebuilding confidence and trust between the council, councillors and the communities they serve.

Read the minister’s full response

The commissioners will be led by Max Caller CBE, who led the best value inspections at Northamptonshire and Liverpool Councils and was a commissioner at Tower Hamlets. He will be supported by finance commissioner Margaret Lee, former statutory finance officer at Essex County Council and member of the London Borough of Croydon Improvement and Assurance Panel.

The team will immediately take over several functions associated with financial management and governance after an independent review concluded the council was failing in its best value duty in these areas.

Lead Commissioner Max Caller CBE said:

We look forward to working with Slough Borough Council, both members and officers, to help the council come back to high-quality local government where they deliver best value for all their residents.

The review published in October, revealed the financial challenge the council faces, concluding that Slough cannot become financially sustainable without considerable government support.

These commissioners will play an important role in deciding Slough’s future, including the council’s request for exceptional financial support.

Further information

Max Caller CBE - led the Best Value Inspections at Northamptonshire and Liverpool and was a Commissioner at Tower Hamlets. Max is a former Chief Executive of the London Boroughs of Hackney and Barnet and former Chair of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

Margaret Lee - recently retired from Essex County Council where she held the post of Executive Director for Corporate and Customer Services. As well as holding senior finance roles, including that of the Statutory S151, she was responsible for other support services such as legal and assurance services, procurement and the transformation support team. She is the finance lead on the Improvement and Assurance Panel for the London Borough of Croydon.   

Find more information on the timeline leading up to the intervention into Slough Borough Council.

The appointment letters for the commissioners, Directions and Explanatory Memorandum and the representation the council made in response to the proposal to intervene have all been published on GOV.UK today.

Commissioners will provide a first report within the next 3 months, with initial views and an assessment of whether they require further support.

Further reports will be provided every 6 months.

The commissioners will work collaboratively with the Children’s Services Commissioner, Trevor Doughty, to make sure that these vital services continue to be delivered effectively in line with the council’s statutory duties.

Office address and general enquiries

2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF

Email correspondence@levellingup.gov.uk

General enquiries: please use this number if you are a member of the public 030 3444 0000

Media enquiries

Email newsdesk@levellingup.gov.uk

Please use this number if you are a journalist wishing to speak to Press Office 0303 444 1209

Published 1 December 2021

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