In a letter dated to the Chief Executive, the Government has advised that it will appoint Commissioners to Spelthorne Borough Council.
The council’s debt, reaching £1.1 billion, is the second-highest per capita among district councils in England, with an average of over £10,000 per resident.
The Council has been advised that the team will consist of Lesley Seary as Lead Commissioner, and Peter Robinson, Deborah McLaughlin and Mervyn Greer as Commissioners. They have been appointed until January 2026 when their roles will be reviewed.
The Commissioners are accountable to the Secretary of State to exercise the following functions:
• to strengthen the commercial decision making, regeneration, property management and procurement functions of the Authority
• to deliver financial sustainability by closing any short or long-term budget gaps and reducing the Authority’s external borrowing
• transformation of council services to achieve value for money and financial sustainability, taking account of any decisions relating to proposals for unitary local government in Surrey
• ensure the Council has the right skills and structures to make ongoing improvements across the entire organisation
The Secretary of State considers that most decisions should continue to be made by the Authority, but with the oversight of the Commissioners who will ‘uphold proper standards and due process and recommend action to the Authority’.
Cllr Joanne Sexton, Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council, said: “We are determined to address the challenges facing the authority and look forward to working collaboratively with the Commissioners to ensure long-term improvement in the areas highlighted.”
