Warrington Council could have to pay £1,100 per day for advisers
In May, Warrington Council said it welcomed the idea of ministerial envoys being appointed."This is a supportive decision and will help us to deliver the changes needed," it said.However, a report written for a full council meeting later said there would be "significant costs" associated with implementing the recommended reforms.For example, hiring a new executive director and an independent chair for the council's audit and governance committee would cost the local authority an estimated £196,710.The inspection report said there was "resistance" in the council's response to external challenges and that the inspectors were not confident that town hall bosses had the "will and capacity" to make changes without external leadership.It also found a lack of strategic direction, councillors being "highly respectful" of powerful officers, and a "defensiveness to internal and external scrutiny".If the government decides to send three envoys to the town for the proposed five-year period, they would mainly advise the council, which would remain in day-to-day charge.Ultimately, though, the envoys could step in and take over "as a last resort".
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.
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