Lib Dems demand better governance at town hall following Best Value Inspection

THE Liberal Democrat opposition on Warrington Borough Council has repeated its call for substantial reform in governance, scrutiny, and financial accountability in the wake of the recent Best Value Inspection.

Responding to the council’s initial proposals following the Best Value Inspection at Full Council, Liberal Democrat councillors pressed for firmer commitments to transparency, effective oversight and scrutiny.

Councillor Mark Browne, Leader of the Council’s Liberal Democrats, stressed the need for meaningful action, not symbolic change. He welcomed the Council’s decision to accept the Government’s direction to appoint an independent Chair of Audit and Governance and the appointment of an Opposition Chair to the Scrutiny Committee. This would strengthen scrutiny leadership, while questioning how the administration would ensure these reforms lead to lasting improvements, particularly under the oversight of ministerial envoys for the next five years.
Cllr. Helen Speed, Deputy Leader, noted that the Best Value Inspection consultation remains open until Thursday, 22nd May, offering residents the opportunity to share their views on the Council’s governance and financial strategies. She encouraged residents to respond.
The Liberal Democrat opposition, led by Councillor Mark Browne, will carefully review both the consultation feedback and the Labour Administration’s formal response to the Best Value Inspection report promised at the June full council meeting. These will be crucial in assessing the commitment to meaningful reform.
Monday’s meeting reaffirmed the Liberal Democrats’ determination to uphold democratic accountability and to ensure that governance reforms deliver real, lasting change and are not a continuation of the same governance processes that were so heavily criticised in the Best Value report.