Statutory intervention: Warrington Borough Council
Documents related to the statutory intervention of Warrington Borough Council.
This page collates all publications relating to the inspection of Warrington Borough Council announced in May 2024 and conducted under section 10 of the Local Government Act 1999.
As of March 2023, relative to size, Warrington had the second highest level of debt for a unitary authority in England (£1.8 billion). The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities commissioned the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) to undertake a detailed capital assurance review of Warrington Borough Council.
CIPFA’s review concluded the portfolio of debt-funded investments for Warrington Borough Council was very large and that the Council was experiencing decision-making, governance and oversight issues. Having regard to that review, together with the Council’s response and other related assessments, ministers have taken the view that there are clear financial risks, and, if they materialise, that are likely to have significant impact on local residents and some impact on the national public purse.
Accordingly, to support the Council to make arrangements to secure continuous improvement, ministers appointed Paul Najsarek, Richard Paver and Michael Hainge to inspect Warrington Borough Council’s compliance with its Best Value Duty.
On 8 May 2025, the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon OBE MP, announced in a written ministerial statement the publication of the Best Value Inspection Report and that he is minded to exercise powers of direction under sections 15(5) and (6) of the Local Government Act 1999, to ensure Warrington Borough Council’s compliance with the Best Value Duty. He also invited representations from the Council and other interested parties on both the report, and the proposal for a statutory support package by 22 May 2025.
On 9 July 2025, in a written ministerial statement, the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon OBE MP, announced that, after consideration of the representations received, he was using his powers under the Local Government Act 1999 to intervene at the Council. This package, to be in place until 31 July 2030, comprises of specific actions the Council is required to take alongside the appointment of Ministerial Envoys.
Current statutory interventions
Best Value Inspection
Updates to this page
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Added Ministerial Envoy appointment letters; letter to the Chief Executive; representation from Warrington Borough Council; Directions; and Explanatory Memorandum.
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Added Best Value Inspection report and letter to the Chief Executive (8 May 2025).
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Added Warrington Borough Council: Letter to the Chief Executive extending the time period for the Best Value Inspection (26 November 2024).
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Added Warrington Borough Council: Assistant Best Value Inspector appointment letters.
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Added Letter to the Chief Executive extending the time period for the Best Value Inspection.
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First published.