Government extends oversight of cash-strapped council

Government-appointed commissioners have worked at Slough Borough Council since December 2021

A council will not be independent of the government for at least another two years.

Slough Borough Council's finances will continue to be overseen by government-appointed commissioners and "substantial" improvement was still needed, a minister said.

The commissioners, who have the power to take control of council decisions, were sent to the Berkshire town after the local authority was effectively declared bankrupt in 2021.

Local government minister Jim McMahon said the council was still not meeting its duty to provide "best value".

The announcement comes after a report by the commissioners published last month recommended extending their intervention.

Mr McMahon said: “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.”

In their report the commissioners said the council "will need to demonstrate that it can live within its means" before they can allow it to operate independently again.

It found there was still "too much volatility" in its finances and leadership and said the council has to deliver its programme of selling off property to cover its debts, and "further drive down costs".

The report also found the council "does not have the confidence of its residents" and there was "low morale" among its staff.

But the council's leader and chief executive both welcomed the announcement and said they had asked the government to continue its oversight.

Council leader Dexter Smith said the extension meant the authority has more time to improve.

He said: “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."