Robert Jenrick Confirms Commissioners WILL Be Sent In To Liverpool City Council

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick

Today Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick confirmed that following an investigation Government commissioners will be sent in to oversee parts of Liverpool City Council. Speaking in the House of Commons Mr Jenrick said the inspection had shown a “deeply concerning picture of mismanagement.”

Back in December Mr Jenrick ordered local government inspector Max Caller to lead a full investigation into Liverpool Council after five men including elected mayor Joe Anderson had been arrested. The investigation focused on property management, regeneration, highways, contracts and planning at the council over the past five years.

Mr Jenrick confirmed he is sending commissioners into Liverpool City Council to manage 'certain and limited' functions for AT LEAST three years. He also stated there was a failure of proper process "relating to property management" including compliance with the council's own standing orders, which resulted in a "failure to correctly value land and assets, meaning taxpayers increasingly lost out."

Mr Jenrick said there was 'an overall environment of intimidation' when talking about the breakdown of governance within Liverpool City Council.

He added: "The only way to survive was to do what was requested without asking too many questions."

The Labour Party said it fully supported the government's actions and was shocked by the report's findings