Government-appointed commissioners, appointed to Slough Borough Council following its financial and other challenges, provided a fourth report on the council’s progress in the months to December 2023. 

The report has now been published on the government’s website and its comments are accepted by the council. 

Leader of the council, Dexter Smith, said: “We thank the commissioners for their continued support, and I was personally pleased to read their positive comments about the new administration. 

“We are committed to continuing to drive the changes needed, and to ensure that it focuses on the priorities of residents.” 

Stephen Brown, chief executive, added: “We have come a long way since the initial intervention, and I am pleased to see the commissioners’ letter points to some progress, notably in children’s social care and SEND services, procurement, contract management & financial planning. 

“However, I also recognise the very real challenges highlighted, and the absolute need to continue our focus on achieving financial stability, address issues with the culture of the organisation, and increase the overall pace of progress. 

“Improvement in such difficult circumstances will never be linear, and we recognise there will be ongoing challenges and also opportunities for improvement. 

“We remain committed to building on the work we have done in the months since the letter was drafted, and to prioritising recovery and we are making further critical investment in order to drive the changes the council and the town need to see. I am confident that these will have had a positive impact by the time of the commissioners’ next report in April.”

The letter can be found here: Intervention at Slough Borough Council - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)