Government appoints commissioners at borough council

The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has appointed two commissioners at Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, one of whom is the local authority’s current interim chief executive.

The appointment of Kim Bromley-Derry and Jim Taylor comes after the Government’s unprecedented intervention in a council without a best value inspection or a Government review.

The Government’s intervention was announced in January this year after a value for money governance review issued in December by the council’s external auditors, Grant Thornton, which called on the local authority to take “effective grip” of longstanding service issues.

In a written ministerial statement today (22 March) Local Government Minister Kemi Badenoch said the Commissioners had been appointed for a two-year period “to implement positive and far-reaching changes” at Sandwell.

Mr Bromley-Derry, interim Chief Executive Officer at Sandwell since August 2021, has been appointed Managing Director Commissioner. He was the Chief Executive of the London Borough of Newham for eight years.

Mr Taylor, former Chief Executive of Salford City Council prior to his retirement in 2021, has been named Assistant Commissioner.

The Commissioners will take over functions associated with the governance and scrutiny of strategic decision-making by Sandwell, including those relating to the appointment and dismissal of statutory officers.

Badenoch said: “Given the clear evidence of the failings at Sandwell Council, I have decided that it is necessary for government to intervene.

“I am confident that, working collaboratively with these commissioners, the council will build on their recent progress to make the necessary improvements and rebuild trust with the community they serve.”

Mr Bromley-Derry said: “I am looking forward to continuing my work with Sandwell Council and building on the progress of recent months to better serve the people of Sandwell.”

The Commissioners will provide their first report within the next three months. Further reports will be provided every six months, or as agreed with the Commissioners, the DLUHC said.

Cllr Kerrie Carmichael, Leader of Sandwell Council, said: “We acknowledge today’s announcement by the Government.

“My vision for Sandwell is to be a borough that is totally focussed on the needs of our residents, where everyone can fulfil their potential and be proud to live here.

“It’s welcome that external reviews have now recognised ‘green shoots’ of recovery are clearly visible. But we know there is much for us still to do, and we have a clear plan to drive improvement.

“So, we will of course work very closely with the Government and all our partners to continue to progress and maintain our focus on delivering high-quality services our residents can rely on.”

Cllr Carmichael added: “I am delighted that Kim Bromley-Derry will be staying on as part of this work. He’s been so important in the positive changes we’ve been making, and will provide the continuity we need to carry on with the improvements we’ve already begun putting in place.

“We remain fully committed to providing what our residents want – to live in clean and safe neighbourhoods, to have somewhere to turn when times are tough, and to be proud to call Sandwell home.”