Positive changes to improve Middlesbrough Council have been recognised by government after it was confirmed a ‘Best Value Notice’ would not be re-issued.
The notice was originally issued in January 2023 due to concerns from ministers about the way the Council was operating.
A revised notice was issued this January for six months, but the Council received confirmation on Monday the notice would not be extended further.
In a letter to Mayor Chris Cooke, Jim McMahon MP, Minister for Local Government, wrote: “The department recognises the steps Middlesbrough Council has taken to address the serious issues at the authority since the revised notice was issued, including making positive changes to personnel in key leadership positions, the delivery of the improvement plan and the establishment of infrastructure for ongoing improvement in culture, governance and financial sustainability.”
The Minister told Mayor Cooke: “Your role in Middlesbrough’s improvement journey is essential and I look forward to seeing further progress in the coming months.”
Best Value Notices formally outline concerns the government has with a local authority. The notices set expectations of the actions needed to improve the situation.
Council staff have worked together with the Mayor, councillors and an independent improvement board to strengthen relationships and the organisation’s culture and processes since weaknesses were highlighted.
Mayor Cooke, who was elected in May 2023, said: "It's great to have this validation from government that we are now on the right path. The withdrawal of the Best Value Notice is resounding recognition of the hard work that the Council has done to solve problems from the past.
“I am confident that under my leadership and the current administration we can continue to ensure the council delivers for the town.
“This is positive news but our hard work is only just beginning. I'm determined that we will recover, reset and deliver for the people of Middlesbrough."
The announcement comes after it was confirmed the Department for Education had withdrawn its involvement in the Council’s Children’s Services.
Clive Heaphy, who joined the Council as interim chief executive in March 2023, said the withdrawal of the notice was “very encouraging”.
“This is a positive reflection of the genuine progress that staff, councillors and the Mayor have made together,” he said.
“We’ve reached an important milestone and it is all the more satisfying given the recent news from the Department for Education that our Children’s Services department is no longer subject to Government intervention.
“I’m really pleased for our staff, who’ve had to work under the shadow of these serious government directions. We can be confident that Middlesbrough Council is moving in the right direction, but must be mindful that there is still more work to do.
“We must continue to do all we can to deliver the very best public services within our available budgets and I am under no illusions about the financial challenges that remain.
“The Council will change the way it delivers many services in the future and will be in better shape to play a positive role in the future of the town.”
A notice detailing the expiry of the Best Value Notice has been published on GOV.UK.