The team tasked with turning round Birmingham City Council has been announced – including a former Labour minister and a serving council chief.
As expected, former Hackney LBC chief executive Max Caller will lead the Government’s intervention team in the city.
The other commissioners are:
- Bexley LBC chief executive Jackie Belton
- Former Hampshire CC chief executive, John Coughlin
- Former director of corporate resources at Leicestershire CC, Chris Tambini
- Director for people and transformation at Essex CC, Pam Parkes
- The Cabinet Office’s Crown Representative for Oracle, IBM and Microsoft, Myron Hrycyk
Birmingham’s politicians will also be supported by Peer and former Labour defence and business secretary Lord John Hutton and former Tower Hamlets LBC mayor John Biggs.
Mr Coughlin will be responsible for driving wider improvement and sustainability at the authority. The post comes in addition to his existing role as commissioner for special educational needs and disability which he has held since 2021.
Former president of the Society of County Treasurers, Mr Tambini will focus on the financial recovery of Birmingham, including dealing with the section 114 notices and the city’s equal pay issues. He will also oversee governance, process and capacity in its financial management.
Ms Belton, who has a background in housing, will support the city with its housing function, while Mr Hrycyk will focus on the council’s disastrous Oracle contract. Ms Parkes will support the council with its human resources and organisational design, including resolving its equal pay issues.
