Independent monitoring of Birmingham City Council set to continue

Independent monitoring of Birmingham City Council is set to continue following changes in leadership to both the council executive and its ruling Labour Party.

The city council and the Birmingham Independent Improvement Panel, which set up in the wake of the Kerslake review to monitor its operations in the wake of criticism over the handling of its children’s services, have written to Local Government Secretary Sajid Javid stating their intentions.

The letter said: “Significant changes are continuing to take place in Birmingham. These are set to bring fresh opportunities and some challenges in the years ahead.”

It said the appointment of new council chief executive Dawn Baxendale and John Clancy’s replacement as council leader by Ian Ward had shifted context for the council.

“In the light of these changes and context, the Council and the (Review) Panel have reviewed our position and propose moving to a more collaborative approach,” adds the letter, which is jointly signed by Cllr Ward and Review Panel chairman, John Crabtree.

In addition to the changes of leadership, they also draw attention to the establishment last April of the Children’s Trust, all-out council elections in May, and the decision to award Birmingham the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Cllr Ian Ward added: “I’ve made it clear since becoming Leader of the Council that I want to work more closely with the Panel, so I welcome this move to a more collaborative approach. Progress has been made in a number of areas, but we recognise there is still much work to be done to ensure that the council is well placed to deliver our improvement priorities.

“We will work with the Improvement Panel to prepare a progress report for publication in June. This will be an account of the Council’s achievements and successes since the Kerslake review. But it will also be an honest account of the position in relation to significant areas where the improvements are yet to be achieved and where we acknowledge that more needs to be done.”

Mr Crabtree added: “The Council has made it clear that it actively welcomes the challenge and constructive support provided by the Panel and intends to engage with it regularly and in an open and honest way.

“A clear commitment has also been made to grasp the substantial financial challenge facing the Council, to ensure that in future its revenue budget can be balanced without substantial draw down of the Council’s reserves, achieving financial sustainability as quickly as possible.

“In the light of these commitments the Panel looks forward to working with the Council in a collaborative way, providing both challenge and support as it continues its improvement journey.”