51茶馆

This page collates all publications relating to the statutory intervention in Spelthorne Borough Council.

As of March 2023, relative to size, Spelthorne鈥檚 debt was the second highest level of debt for a district authority in England (拢1.096 billion).聽The government commissioned the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) to undertake a detailed capital assurance review of Spelthorne Borough Council.

CIPFA鈥檚 review concluded the portfolio of debt-funded investments for Spelthorne Borough Council was very large and that there were serious financial concerns relating to the Council鈥檚 affordable housing plans. Considering the review鈥檚 findings, together with the Council鈥檚 response and other related assessments,聽ministers took the view that there were clear financial risks, and, if they materialise, that would likely 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,聽Lesley Seary, Mervyn Greer, Peter Robinson and Deborah McLaughlin were appointed to inspect Spelthorne Borough Council鈥檚 compliance with its Best Value Duty.

On 17 March 2025, the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon OBE MP, announced in a聽 the publication of the Best Value Inspection report and that he was minded to exercise powers of direction under section 15(5) and 15(6) of the Local Government Act 1999, to ensure the Spelthorne Borough Council鈥檚 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 28 March 2025.

On 8 May 2025, in a聽, the Minister of State for Local Government and 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. Ministers have appointed the Inspection Team as Commissioners until January 2026, and issued Directions to the Council to be in place until 31 May 2030.