Statutory intervention: Birmingham City Council
Source: gov.uk (2025-12-01)

Documents related to the statutory intervention at Birmingham City Council.

This page collates all the publications relating to the statutory intervention at Birmingham City Council.

The Secretary of State announced in an oral statement on 19 September (https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2023-09-19/debates/6ED1706F-3B05-464C-AA7B-7D28AFEF149D/BirminghamCityCouncil) that he is minded to intervene in Birmingham City Council using his powers under the Local Government Act 1999. The council and other interested parties were invited to make representations on the proposed intervention package by 26 September 2023.

On 5 October 2023 the Secretary of State announced (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-launches-intervention-at-birmingham-city-council) that, after due consideration of representations received, he was using his powers under the Local Government Act 1999 to intervene at the council. The intervention includes the appointment of Commissioners who will have powers over certain Council functions (governance, finance and recruitment) and the issuing of Directions that require the Council to take specific actions to the satisfaction of Commissioners.

On 22 February 2024 the Minister for Local Government, Simon Hoare MP, announced (https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2024-02-22/hcws280) the publication of a progress update letter on the statutory intervention from Commissioners and accompanying ministerial response from the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

On 22 October 2024 the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon OBE MP, announced (https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2024-10-22/hcws155) the publication of the Birmingham City Council Commissioners’ first report alongside his ministerial response. The report represents the Commissioners assessment of their first 6 months in post. It clearly sets out the scale and severity of the challenges facing Birmingham, including poor governance and culture, ineffective financial management and substandard service delivery, but recognises the progress the Council has made to date on its recovery journey.

The ministerial response sets out the government’s intention to reset the relationship between central and local government to focus on reform and recovery, and to introduce a more supportive approach to the stewardship of local councils.

The Minister for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon OBE MP, announced in an oral statement (https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2025-03-31/debates/D87AEF77-E6AA-401B-83A4-9D2B87DF062C/BirminghamCityCouncil) to Parliament on 31 March 2025 the publication of the Birmingham City Council Commissioners’ second report and the Ministerial response was published on 3 April 2025. The report highlights the progress made by the Council so far, and notes the committed leadership of Councillor Cotton and Joanne Roney CBE, and the hard work of many diligent members of staff in the Council. The report also sets out that the journey to recovery and financial stability is far from over and has been heavily dependent on the input, guidance and advice of the Commissioner team so far.

On 22 July 2025, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government confirmed the appointment of Tony McArdle OBE as Lead Commissioner at Birmingham City Council, following the retirement of Max Caller CBE.

On 1 December 2025, the Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness announced in a written statement (https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2025-12-01/hcws1116) to Parliament the publication of the Birmingham City Council Commissioners’ third report alongside her ministerial response. The report sets out the progress made since the last report, including on equal pay, Children’s and Adults Services, but that this progress is fragile, has been slower than anticipated and several areas of significant risk remain.