Control of bankrupt Birmingham council to be handed over and inquiry launched

[admin]

Michael Gove has announced he will appoint commissioners to take over Birmingham City Council and will launch a local inquiry into the authority after it declared itself effectively bankrupt. The government’s communities secretary said he was “satisfied that Birmingham City Council is failing to comply with its best value duty” after it issued a Section 114 notice. “I do not take these decisions lightly, but it is imperative in order to protect the interests of the residents and taxpayers of Birmingham, and to provide ongoing assurance to the whole local government sector.”