UK Government Intervenes in Tower Hamlets Council Over 'Toxic' Culture Concerns
Ministers appoint officials to oversee improvements in governance and culture at the east London council
The UK Government has initiated formal intervention in Tower Hamlets Council following a report that highlighted issues of a 'toxic' political culture.
Local government minister Jim McMahon described the step as necessary due to ongoing concerns regarding governance, leadership, culture, and partnerships within the council.
The intervention includes oversight by ministerial envoys, with former Newham chief executive Kim Bromley-Derry appointed to scrutinize the council’s operations.
Mr. Bromley-Derry will receive a daily remuneration of £1,100 for 120 days until March 2028, with two assistant envoys earning £1,000 daily for a combined 120 days.
The council, notorious for a previous intervention between 2014 and 2018, faced allegations of misconduct, including the wrongful portrayal of political rivals and grant allocations likened to bribery.
Executive Mayor Lutfur Rahman, who returned to leadership in 2022 with the Aspire party, has acknowledged these concerns.
In response to the intervention, Mr. Rahman and Chief Executive Stephen Halsey accepted the findings and expressed their commitment to improvement.
They have budgeted £6million for these efforts in the forthcoming budget plans set to be finalized next month.
Rahman emphasized the potential for positive change, stating the collaboration with ministerial envoys as a fresh start to address political divisions and support statutory officers.
The council has received recognition for pioneering initiatives such as universal free school meals and winter fuel payments for pensioners.
The government has advised that further actions may ensue if satisfactory progress is not observed, underscoring the seriousness with which it views the need for improvements in Tower Hamlets.
Local government minister Jim McMahon described the step as necessary due to ongoing concerns regarding governance, leadership, culture, and partnerships within the council.
The intervention includes oversight by ministerial envoys, with former Newham chief executive Kim Bromley-Derry appointed to scrutinize the council’s operations.
Mr. Bromley-Derry will receive a daily remuneration of £1,100 for 120 days until March 2028, with two assistant envoys earning £1,000 daily for a combined 120 days.
The council, notorious for a previous intervention between 2014 and 2018, faced allegations of misconduct, including the wrongful portrayal of political rivals and grant allocations likened to bribery.
Executive Mayor Lutfur Rahman, who returned to leadership in 2022 with the Aspire party, has acknowledged these concerns.
In response to the intervention, Mr. Rahman and Chief Executive Stephen Halsey accepted the findings and expressed their commitment to improvement.
They have budgeted £6million for these efforts in the forthcoming budget plans set to be finalized next month.
Rahman emphasized the potential for positive change, stating the collaboration with ministerial envoys as a fresh start to address political divisions and support statutory officers.
The council has received recognition for pioneering initiatives such as universal free school meals and winter fuel payments for pensioners.
The government has advised that further actions may ensue if satisfactory progress is not observed, underscoring the seriousness with which it views the need for improvements in Tower Hamlets.
