The Government is set to confirm that Commissioners overseeing improvements at Nottingham City Council are no longer required, due the significant progress being made by the authority.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has written to the Council to say that Secretary of State, Steve Reed MP, is minded to end the Commissioners’ two-year appointment on 22 February. It means the Council would have all decision-making powers returned to it.
Commissioner-led intervention at a number of other councils requiring improvement in recent years has had to be extended beyond the initial term. Nottingham’s Commissioner appointment would be ending on time – a recognition of the strong improvements in governance, financial management and leadership stability under the leadership of Leader, Councillor Neghat Khan and Chief Executive, Sajeeda Rose, and with Commissioners’ oversight.
The letter highlights that while significant progress has been made, there are areas for further improvement and focus. particularly around service design and transformation. To help build on the foundations laid for service improvement, and to secure the Council’s compliance with the Best Value Duty. the Secretary of State is minded to provide a reduced package of statutory support to the Authority for eighteen months, to be reviewed after twelve.
This would see two Ministerial Envoys appointed, one with expertise in local government leadership, transformation and implementation and the other with a local government political background. Neither would have any decision-making powers.
Council Leader, Councillor Neghat Khan, said: “When I became Leader in 2024, I made a promise to get our house in order, and we’ve done that. Our finances are stable, we’re balancing our budget without a penny of Exceptional Financial Support, and we’ve reduced our debt by 64%.”
“We’ve always said that our priority was to deliver improvements right across the Council so that the Commissioners leave as planned. With the return of all statutory powers to the Councill, we’ve done just that. Whilst we know that there is more to do and we must not be complacent in leading Nottingham forward, our focus now must be on delivering continuous improvement for Nottingham and our residents. We are ambitious for Nottingham and are committed to being the most improved Council in the country.”
Chief Executive, Sajeeda Rose, said: “The departure of Commissioners is a major milestone in our improvement journey. We are now a stronger, more stable organisation and that is because of the hard work, commitment, skills and expertise of council staff and councillors.
“However, it’s important to be clear that there is more work to do to embed ongoing improvement at the Council so that we can effectively deliver on the priorities set out in our Council Plan – that’s why we’ve requested that support in expertise areas continues. A step down from Commissioner-led intervention is not the end of our improvement journey. It’s a marker of progress and the start of our next phase, where we continue to improve under our own steam.”
“We welcome the provision of ongoing expertise in the form of two Ministerial Envoys and will work closely with them over the coming months to secure the further improvements needed.”
In a letter to the Council Leader, Minister for Local Government and Homelessness, Alison McGovern, said: “The Secretary of State and I are very encouraged by the progress the Council has made since February 2024 under your leadership and with Commissioners’ support, particularly in developing a strong senior team, strengthening strategic direction, financial management and stability, governance, and working relationships. The Commissioners consider that strong foundations are now in place, but the Council remains at an early stage in its recovery.”
Lead Commissioner, Sharon Kemp, said: “The Council has made significant improvements since the original ministerial directions in February 2024 and we commend them for their commitment and impact so far in their efforts to meet their best value duty.
“As we step down as Commissioners, we are pleased to see the Council working in very different ways from when we arrived, this is clearly having an impact and bodes well for the future.
“Whilst further improvement is required, it is encouraging to see the Council acknowledging this and engaging constructively with the Government and the sector to drive continued improvement. We wish the Council every success in the next phase of their improvement journey.”
The departure of Commissioners coincides with development of a balanced budget for 2026/27 due to be agreed at full Council meeting on 2 March and the development of the Continuous Service Improvement Plan that will set out the Council’s plans for delivering improved outcomes for residents.
For further information: Statutory intervention: Nottingham City Council – GOV.UK