THE four ministerial envoys appointed to support Warrington Borough Council following a damning “Best Value” inspection have been confirmed – at a cost of £4.5k a working day for up to two years!
The Ministerial Envoys are nominated for the period, today, 9 July 2025 to 31 July 2027 or such earlier or later time as the Secretary of State determines. The Secretary of State may, on further consideration, nominate further Ministerial Envoys.
The Directions provide that the Ministerial Envoys’ reasonable expenses and such fees as the Secretary of State determines are to be paid to them by the Authority. The Secretary of State is mindful of the need for remuneration to represent value for money for local taxpayers. In recognition of the nature and scale of the intervention, the Secretary of State has determined fees of £1,200 a day for the Lead Ministerial Envoy and £1,100 for other Ministerial Envoys.
The four envoys appointed by the government to support the council are:
1. Harry Catherall MBE
2. Sir Stephen Houghton CBE
3. Carolyn Williamson
4. Phil Brookes
The envoys will provide constructive support and challenge as the council delivers on its improvement plan. The envoys have several decades of local government experience collectively, with a strong track record of helping to drive improvements in a number of other councils.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Hans Mundry, said: “We welcome the confirmation of the ministerial envoys. We look forward to working alongside them positively and receiving their expert challenge and support.
“We have always seen the appointment of envoys as a supportive step. Knowing who our envoys will be provides us with important clarity as we continue to work at pace on driving forward our improvement plan.
“It’s our commitment to keep working relentlessly, as we have done in recent months, to address the recommendations that have been made to us through the best value process. Our envoys will help us to strengthen this work, and we look forward to them joining us.”
Sarah Hall MP
“While it is right that the Council retains responsibility for delivering its own improvement, this additional oversight makes clear that expectations are high and progress must be sustained.
“There is no doubt that the Council has fallen short in key areas. But under new leadership, there are early signs of change. The appointment of Envoys brings further expertise to support that direction of travel.
“As your MP, I’ll continue to follow developments closely and engage with the Council, Ministers and Ministerial Envoys to ensure this process leads to real improvement.
“Local residents rightly expect a council that is transparent, financially sound, and focused on delivering for its community, that’s what this next phase must work towards.”
Full details of the envoy appointments can be read by CLICKING HERE
There is only one problem with the BVI report on @WarringtonBC – it is utter bollocks. A spiteful Tory endgame facilitated by this Labour Government & @JimfromOldham
— Russ Bowden (@MrRussBowden) July 9, 2025
1 Comment
My my we need these envoys another financial disaster revealed today over the development of the time square development.