Commissioners at Slough Council are set to be given powers over recruitment after finding it was unable to turn around its finances quickly enough.
In their first report to the Government, commissioners said a botched restructure of the council had resulted in the ‘speedy destruction of officer capacity and competence’.
The report concluded it was ‘not certain’ the council ‘can generate and implement the initiatives required’.
Levelling Up Secretary Greg Clark said he was ‘minded to’ grant the commissioners’ request for powers to recruitment senior staff to the council’s top three tiers.
He added: ‘Whilst this decision is not taken lightly, difficult decisions must be taken to protect hardworking taxpayers.’
The report reveals Slough will also require an ‘unprecedented’ level of financial assistance for at least six to eight years, including at least £670m in capitalisation support, council tax rises of 12% to 20% and reductions in provision.
Commissioners also cast doubt on whether attempts to make annual revenue savings of £20m on a net budget of £108m will be possible ,with council spending 78% above its funding ability.
The commissioners said Slough’s ‘excessive’ borrowing, currently standing at £680m, was ‘down to a lack of competence by a range of officers and some by more deliberate action’.
Audit and scrutiny had ‘failed to work effectively’ due to a ‘poor leadership culture’.
Lead commissioner Max Caller said: ‘The challenges in Slough are huge and unprecedented. We are working closely with DLUHC and are grateful for the Ministers support in driving change at the council.
‘We welcome the Secretary of State’s decision to expand the directions at this time.’
Responding to the report, Council leader James Swindlehurst said: ‘We have always accepted the seriousness of our situation and the difficult decisions we have to make in the coming years.
‘If the processes and arrangements to recruit a strong officer team can be streamlined or simplified, so we can more forward and restore staff capabilities more swiftly until the council is further stabilised, then we accept this will also assist the council’s recovery.’
