House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Local Government Best Value
20 November 2024 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Proposed by Jim McMahon Lab Co-op Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- The Minister has implemented new Directions for Slough Borough Council and reappointed the current Commissioners.
- Will Tuckley has been appointed as Managing Director Commissioner for Slough Borough Council until November 2026.
- The Minister is publishing a third report from Commissioners for Woking Borough Council to address council failure drivers.
Issue summary
The Minister is updating Parliament on statutory interventions in Slough and Woking Borough Councils due to best value failures.
Action requested
The Minister has implemented new Directions for Slough Borough Council, reappointing the current Commissioners and appointing Will Tuckley as Managing Director Commissioner until November 2026. For Woking Borough Council, the Minister is publishing a third report from Commissioners and will reflect on recommendations to address council failure drivers.
Key facts
- The Secretary of State was minded-to issue new Directions to Slough Borough Council on 22 October 2024.
- New Directions for Slough come into effect immediately and remain in force until 30 November 2026, replacing previous directions issued since December 2021.
- Gavin Jones, Denise Murray, and Ged Curran have been reappointed as Commissioners for the duration of the intervention in Slough.
- Will Tuckley, interim Chief Executive, has been appointed as Managing Director Commissioner for eighteen months.
- Woking Borough Council faces significant challenges due to historic commercial mismanagement and governance failures leading to an extraordinary level of debt.
- Grant Thornton's Public Interest Report on Woking’s investment practices will be considered by the Council before issuing a formal response.