Resignation calls over 'critical' council report

A former MP has called for resignations at a council after an "incredibly critical" report into the authority.

A best value report on debt-ridden Warrington Council recently recommended appointing commissioners to take over the running of parts of the authority, although the government plans instead to send in ministerial envoys.

Andy Carter, the previous Conservative MP for Warrington South, told BBC Politics North West that he believed there should be a "senior level resignation".

The council said it would respond "positively, co-operatively and at pace to all the recommendations made by government".

The report, which had been ordered over concerns raised about the council's commercial programme and debts, said inspectors were not confident the authority had the "will and capacity" to make changes without external leadership.

Mr Carter was the MP when the investigation into the authority was launched by the previous government and said he still wanted to see commissioners sent in.

"I think all members of the management team at Warrington Council need to consider their positions very carefully," he said.

"There is significant criticism from inspectors and inspectors don't make those criticisms lightly.

"The inspectors have made recommendations, they feel very strongly that new people are needed to come in and supervise what happens here.

"I think that probably tells you very clearly that there needs to be a senior level resignation, I'd expect that to come from the chief executive and those people that put forward these schemes that have put the finances of Warrington Council into such a difficult position."

A spokesman for Warrington Borough Council said it would not be commenting on Mr Carter's calls for resignations.

Council leader, Labour's Hans Mundry, said the authority would develop an improvement and recovery plan and appoint a transformation and change director.

"I want to make it explicitly clear that the council will respond positively, co-operatively and at pace to all the recommendations made by government regarding the best value inspection report," he said.

"The council takes this matter very seriously, but I reassure residents and businesses that we will be pro-active in addressing the challenges."

He said the authority would "continue with our strong track record in supporting vulnerable people, growing our strong economy, improving opportunities, ensuring we have vibrant communities and a good quality of life for all of our residents and businesses".

The government has invited comments on its planned intervention and the council will discuss the report on 16 June.

See more Cheshire stories from the BBC and follow BBC North West on X. For more local politics coverage, BBC Politics North West is on BBC One on Sunday at 10:00am and on BBC iPlayer.