Bankrupt council expects longer government oversight

A council is expected to have government intervention for another two years.

Government-appointed commissioners have worked with cash-strapped Slough Borough Council since December 2021 and the authority expected that arrangement to end in November.

But local government minister Jim McMahon said on Tuesday that he expects that to now end in November 2026 because it is “not yet meeting its best value duty”.

The authority’s leader said there is “no quick or easy way to turn round our council’s fortunes”.

It was effectively declared bankrupt in 2021 after racking up a £760m borrowing debt and a £357m deficit.

Mr McMahon said he was minded to appoint a Managing Director Commissioner (MDC), a role that has been introduced at other troubled councils including Thurrock and Woking.

The MDC will have the same roles and responsibilities as all of Slough’s commissioners.

The position is expected to be filled by the council’s chief executive Will Tuckley in what would be a dual role.

The authority said the MDC would provide stronger links between commissioners and senior corporate management, while working closely with the council’s political administration and councillors to drive change.

Mr McMahon is due to confirm the new arrangements in early November.

Gavin Jones, the council’s lead commissioner, said intervention remains necessary to “tackle vast challenges”.

Dexter Smith, the council's leader, said: “Ever since forming my administration in May 2023, I have told Slough’s residents and council staff 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 the debt, to get the council living within its means, and to deliver best value services.

"Now we have the extra time and help from government to do that.”

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