Liverpool’s reputation with private sector developers ‘improved’, report finds
The city council’s development and regeneration department is no longer dysfunctional and has been “fundamentally transformed”, according to the last report by the authority’s government appointed overseers.
The report, which has been sent to government, follows a stepping down of intervention at Liverpool City Council last June when the commissioners voiced their satisfaction over improvements in the authority’s governance.
Commissioners were first installed in 2021 after a report into various failings at the city council by Whitehall advisor Max Caller in the wake of a string of arrests as part of Operation Aloft, a Merseyside Police investigation into corruption.
One of the departments singled out for criticism in the original best value report was the development division.
Since then, the department has made significant improvements, according to a report published yesterday by lead commissioner Mike Cunningham, who is the independent chair of the Improvement and Assurance Board – the body set up following the step down in intervention.
Cunningham, said the city council had created a “a solid platform for the future”.
“It is now almost four years since I first arrived in Liverpool to oversee the city’s improvement journey, initially as Lead Commissioner and latterly as independent Chair of the Improvement and Assurance Board.
“The senior leadership team know and accept that there is much more to do, and are open to constructive challenge, which means that we are able to have confidence in the future.”
The report states: “The council’s regeneration function has come on a long journey of improvement, from a position in which dysfunctionality, poor governance and inadequate systems led directly to the initial statutory intervention.
“The leadership of the council’s city development responsibilities is now fundamentally transformed.”
The report added that the city council is “starting to recover its external reputation with the private sector,” thanks in part to the creation of a regular developer’s forum.
Relationships between the city council and the combined authority and central government have also improved and the “legacy of poor commercial relationships, failed development projects, and stalled sites is starting to be recovered”, the report states.
Late last year, the city council acquired the stalled New Chinatown site, one of Liverpool’s highest profile schemes, thanks to £10m of government funding.
This move was seen by many as a marker of how far the city council has come in recent years in terms of addressing the city’s stalled sites issue. However, there are still some within the industry who are keen to see further improvements in how the city council communicates with the private sector and the speed of decision making.
The report said an internal restructure and recruitment of “a full cohort of experienced and well qualified staff” were key to the city council’s improvement.
Liverpool City Council Leader, Liam Robinson, welcomed the report.
“Politically and managerially we have been transformed, particularly over the last two years with a new cabinet and senior leadership team.
“I would like to thank councillors of all parties for their support with the significant changes that have been made, and staff for their hard work and commitment.”
He added: “I believe there is an unstoppable momentum in the improvements that we are making, which are now starting to make a difference to the quality of frontline services, particularly when combined with the additional investment we are putting in.
“Residents should have confidence that we are now an outward looking organisation that welcomes challenge and wants to work in partnership with our communities to deliver improvements for the city.”
Not much to get excited about when you see the planning agenda. Compared to Manchester we are still far behind.
By Peter
Lots of “Consultations” and “plans” but not much action. We now have a Labour Government so the tory excuse won’t work anymore.
By Nick P
Ha ha, no just no. The proof is in the pudding and Liverpool unfortunately is one pudding no one seems to want to eat.
By Anonymous
Good news, now onwards and upwards literally we hope.
By Liverpool4Progress
No doubt there has been positive signs with a number of stalled sites now up and running but we still await the commencement of many schemes like the Davos site up on Duke St, the Packaged Living Scheme, the student block on the corner of Mulberry St, the Carpenter site at King’s Dock St, I could go on but we need to see some big-time developers here in Liverpool as the likes of Legacie, Integritas, etc can’t do it all on their own.
By Anonymous
I can’t think of a single example of the council proactively regenerating a site? It is well known that London investors just don’t want to invest in Liverpool due to the council. There is massive paralysis in the council due to fear, care, and lack of ability. It would help if people turned up for work. 4 years on since covid and most of the teams are still at home watching day time TV.
By Anonymous
Does that mean we can now expect to see a flood of proposals from developers without hinderance from the previously blindfolded administration. I won’t hold my breadth but still remain hopeful.
By Stephen Hart
It has improved. What is needed now is action on its major projects and planning policy. 12 months through planning as it stands is turning developers away.
By Anonymous
People need to acknowledge the improvement in tone and hope that large scale delivery now follows.
By Anonymous
This has the feel of someone marking their own homework. Also, did Mr Cunningham seek the views of any developers? None that I know were consulted and I can tell you now: their views are entirely at odds with the report’s findings.
By Anonymous
‘Improved’ ? Well you can only improve from zero.
By Anonymous
Apparently the armchair critics who stalk these comments know better than Mike Cunningham and his team.
By Anonymous
Armchair critics have been around long enough to know better !
By Anonymous
I’ll celebrate when they focus on creating new jobs in the design of projects and stand up to developers who come to town with their mates on their design teams. Liverpool could have a bigger built environment sector if it put it’s mind to it.
By Martha Hoggett