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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 (拢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鈥檚 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鈥檚 response and other related assessments,聽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, Paul Najsarek, Richard Paver and Michael Hainge to inspect Warrington Borough Council鈥檚 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聽 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 22 May 2025.