Liverpool Council’s cabinet has approved funding for a series of major reforms to the local authority in the coming years.
The move means close to will £12m be set aside over the coming years for a slew of changes linked to Max Caller’s devastating report into aspects of the council’s operations.
The core costs of the council’s improvement plan, including commissioners sent by government to the council, stand at £2.5m but the funding approved today are for a much wider scope of reforms.
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Speaking briefly at this morning’s cabinet, mayor Joanne Anderson said approval of the funding was “a positive step forward” in the council’s attempts to reform.
A report to cabinet said that the projected £11.8m cost will be spread over a number of years and is required to see “sustained improvement” across the local authority.
The report said: “ The council has committed to ensuring that its improvement journey is sustainable and long-term.
“As such, costs will need to be a core part of future years’ budgets.
“While some improvements can be addressed through short term capacity solutions and the use of external support, many require longer term investment to reset capacity and capability in the council to the levels required to secure sustained improvement for the future.
“As the council moves through the different phases of improvement, capacity and capability will be an ongoing consideration and will need to be re- evaluated in the light of progress.”
The funding is set to be used on wider recruitment and expenditure within the council to support “wider corporate services which are essential to support strong and robust governance”.
It will be used across numerous departments, not just those criticised in Max Caller’s report.
