Commissioners begin to take over key functions at Northamptonshire

Commissioners appointed this month by Communities Secretary James Brokenshire will take over Northamptonshire County Council’s functions associated with governance and scrutiny, appointment of statutory officers and strategic financial management.

The lead commissioner is Tony McArdle, who was chief executive of Lincolnshire County Council from 2005 to 2018.

He will be supported by Brian Roberts, former Deputy Chief Executive of Leicestershire County Council, and an expert in financial management.

Their appointment follows the publication of an independent report in March by Max Caller which found that Northamptonshire was failing to comply with its best value duty.

Caller, who was sent in by Brokenshire’s predecessor Sajid Javid, suggested that Northamptonshire be split into two new unitaries to provide “a new start” but this proposed model initially met with a lukewarm response from the district and borough councils in the area.

On the appointment of McArdle and Roberts, James Brokenshire said: “Action of this kind is rare and is not taken lightly, but I simply cannot ignore the scale of the problems facing Northamptonshire.

“It is essential residents are able to have faith in their council, particularly in the responsible use of taxpayers’ money.

“That’s why I’m taking swift action by appointing commissioners who carry with them a wealth of experience. I am confident they will dedicate themselves to the task at hand.”

The county council, the district and borough councils and voluntary organisations have all supported the appointment of commissioners, the Government said.

The commissioners are due to be in place until 31 March 2021 and will update the Secretary of State every three months on progress.

The directions to Northamptonshire, an explanatory memorandum and a letter to the county council can be viewed here.

The letter said the exercise of the various functions should enable the commissioners “to bring the authority’s finances under control and allow robust service delivery to local residents”.

However, it added that the Secretary of State had not ruled out the possibility that further functions might be brought under the control of the commissioners.