Council given deadline to fix culture and finances

Middlesbrough Council has been given another six months to fix cultural and financial issues

A council will remain under government scrutiny for six months over bullying claims and financial concerns.

Last year, Middlesbrough Council was told it must improve its culture within 12 months, or face the possibility of government intervention.

It has now been issued with an extended Best Value Notice, meaning it is still not meeting expectations.

Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said he knows "what still needs to be done" but that the notice reflected that progress had been made.

An external audit report in 2022 found the council had unlawfully employed an adviser and made wrongful payments to a publicity firm.

A report by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (Cipfa) said staff reported "feeling bullied and intimidated".

It added there was a clash of cultures between the way people worked.

The discoveries led to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) ordering the council to improve its culture and financial situation.

'Improvement measures'

A year on, DLUHC said that the council has worked "effectively" to set out a range of "improvement measures" to address its concerns.

But the renewed Best Value Notice called on the council to deliver improvements around the "cultural and governance issues" investigated in the Cipfa review.

It added work still needs to be done to improve the council's "financial sustainability" and "embed positive cultures" within the organisation.

The notice calls on the council to continue to work with the Independent Improvement Board to address its concerns and set a three-year plan to secure its "financial recovery".

Mayor Chris Cooke was elected after the first Best Value Notice was issued to Middlesbrough Council

Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said he had been working on "solving problems from the past".

He said: "I had a very productive call with the minister earlier this week and it’s really encouraging to see that the updated notice reflect the progress the council has made."

He added: “Governance and demonstrating value for money is absolutely fundamental to all public bodies.

"We know what still needs to be done and we won’t be taking our eye off the ball.”