In May 2024, the council was reviewed to assess if it was performing to a satisfactory level, through what is known as a Best Value Inspection.

After the review ended, the former Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon MP decided in July 2025 to appoint special advisors – Ministerial Envoys - to help the council take forward a number of widespread improvements.

The Minister also gave us clear instructions on what changes and improvements we need to make, through a series of Ministerial Directions.

In response, we are creating an Improvement and Recovery Plan to guide our work. This plan will help us meet the Minister’s expectations, and also show that we’re committed to ongoing and continuous improvement.

The Directions from the Minister, in summary, require us to:

  • Prepare and agree an Improvement and Recovery Plan within six months, with progress reports to the Ministerial Envoys after the first three months and ongoing reporting thereafter
  • Initiate recruitment for someone to lead the improvement work in the council
  • Review, in the first 24 months, the roles and case for continuing with each of our subsidiary companies and investments
  • Work with the Local Government Association (LGA) to agree a suitable time for a follow up review to their 2024 Corporate Peer Challenge.
  • Fully co-operate with the Ministerial Envoys and take any reasonable action within our functions, to ensure the Ministerial directions are achieved

Our improvement and recovery

We are expected to drive our own improvement with the support, challenge, and advice from the Ministerial Envoys. 

Some Ministerial Envoys will have power to exercise certain functions, but they are intended to be used only as a last resort to ensure compliance with our Best Value Duty.

The Ministerial Envoys will report to the Secretary of State every six months. The Directions remain in force up to and including 31 July 2030 unless the Secretary of State considers it appropriate to amend or revoke them at an earlier date.

We will produce progress reports for the Envoys, and our improvement and recovery plans will be available on this page in due course.

Key information and documents

First report to Ministerial Envoys (154.54 KB)

Our improvement and recovery plan

Our improvement and recovery plan will guide our work. It will be subject to scrutiny by all councillors in November 2025, and will also go to Cabinet and Full Council meetings for debate and scrutiny in public. Our plan will ultimately be approved and submitted to our envoys by January 2026.

You can read our draft improvement and recovery plan in the Cabinet papers for the 10 November meeting (page 191 onwards).

 

Our Ministerial Envoy team

Harry Catherall (Lead Envoy)
A headshot of Harry Catherall

Harry is currently interim Chief Executive at Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council, seconded from Oldham Council in October 2024 to support the council. Before that, Harry has been Chief Executive at Oldham Council since August 2021 and was previously interim Chief Executive at St Helens Council from October 2019 to March 2020

Harry was also Chief Executive at Blackburn with Darwen Unitary Council from September 2012 to 2019 having previously been the Deputy Chief Executive for 10 years prior to this.

Harry has also previously worked at Stockport Council, the Audit Commission and Tameside Council where he spent the first 9 years of his career starting as a 16 year old apprentice. He lives in Tameside, is a keen runner and Manchester United Fan.

Harry Catherall - declaration of interests

In line with the Localism Act 2011 – GOV.UK, each commissioner has declared any interests which may affect their role.

Interests

Directorship of Companies

STAR Multi Academy Trust - Company Ltd by guarantee – Member of Company voluntary capacity.

Employment, remunerated profession or consultancy

Chief Executive Officer – Tameside Council

Other public appointments

N/A

Offices in voluntary, non-profit making bodies, etc:

N/A

Shareholding (incl. ISAs and funds)

Various cash ISA in Virgin Money

Other (incl. family members or people living in same household)

N/A

Conflicts of Interest

Do you consider any of the interests declared in the previous section to be a real or perceived conflict of interest in relation to this role?

☒ No

Do you wish to declare any other information which you would consider relevant to our assessment of your suitability to perform a role on behalf of MHCLG?

☒ No

Carolyn Williamson
A headshot of Carolyn Williamson

Carolyn became Chief Executive of Hampshire County Council in July 2021 and retired in July 2025. Prior to this she was Deputy Chief Executive, Director of Corporate Resources and Chief Financial Officer at Hampshire County Council since 2010.

Carolyn qualified CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy) in 1991 and her first Chief Financial Officer role was in 2001 at Inverclyde Council.

Carolyn was President of CIPFA covering 2019/20 and was a Member of CIPFA Council from 2013 until July 2021 following her Past Presidential year. During that time she held Chairmanship roles on the Audit Committee and Student & Members Board, as well as attending and latterly Chairing CIPFA Council and CIPFA Board.

Carolyn Williamson - declaration of interests

In line with the Localism Act 2011 – GOV.UK, each commissioner has declared any interests which may affect their role.

Interests

Directorship of Companies

N/A

Employment, remunerated profession or consultancy

Retired 3 August 2025 as Chief Executive, Hampshire County Council

Other public appointments

N/A

Offices in voluntary, non-profit making bodies, etc:

N/A

Shareholding (incl. ISAs and funds)

N/A

Other (incl. family members or people living in same household)

N/A

Conflicts of Interest

Do you consider any of the interests declared in the previous section to be a real or perceived conflict of interest in relation to this role?

☒ No

Do you wish to declare any other information which you would consider relevant to our assessment of your suitability to perform a role on behalf of MHCLG?

☒ No

Phil Brookes
headshot of Phil Brookes

Phil Brookes worked in the private sector for over 30 years in the construction and utility sectors and held Board positions with some major contractors in the UK and overseas. He currently holds a position as Crown Representative at the Cabinet Office with responsibility for oversight of four Strategic Suppliers to Central Government.

He has just concluded a Commercial Lead role on the London Borough of Croydon Improvement and Assurance Panel which has been in place since 2021. 

Phil Brookes - declaration of interests

In line with the Localism Act 2011 – GOV.UK, each commissioner has declared any interests which may affect their role.

Interests

Directorship of Companies

N/A

Employment, remunerated profession or consultancy

Cabinet Office – Crown Representative

London Borough of Croydon – Commercial Lead Improvement & Assurance Panel ended 20 July 2025

Other public appointments

N/A

Offices in voluntary, non-profit making bodies, etc:

N/A

Shareholding (incl. ISAs and funds)

SIPP & ISA invested in various funds and Trusts but no conflict with role

Other (incl. family members or people living in same household)

N/A

Conflicts of Interest

Do you consider any of the interests declared in the previous section to be a real or perceived conflict of interest in relation to this role?

☒ No

Do you wish to declare any other information which you would consider relevant to our assessment of your suitability to perform a role on behalf of MHCLG?

☒ No

Sir Stephen Houghton (Lead Political Envoy)
photo headshot of Sir Steve Houghton

Sir Stephen has been an elected member of Barnsley MBC since 1988 and leader since 1996. He is active in regional governance, serving on the Barnsley Place Committee and Partnership Board, and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. He’s been on the Local Government Association Executive since 2010 and chairs Migration Yorkshire.

Sir Stephen is a member of the UK Municipal Bonds Agency, and has been an LGA Labour Regional Improvement Peer since 2006, and a National Peer since 2016.

Sir Stephen was awarded a CBE for Services to Local Government in 2004 and received a knighthood for Parliamentary Services in 2013

Sir Stephen Houghton - declaration of interests

In line with the Localism Act 2011 – GOV.UK, each commissioner has declared any interests which may affect their role.

Interests

Directorship of Companies

N/A

Employment, remunerated profession or consultancy

Local Government Association Improvement Peer

Leader Barnsley MBC

Member Cheshire East Council Improvement Board

Other public appointments

Leader Barnsley MBC

Member South Yorkshire MCA

Member of Government Leaders' Council

Offices in voluntary, non-profit making bodies, etc:

Chair of SIGOMA

Member Yorkshire Leaders' Board

Chair Migration Yorkshire

Shareholding (incl. ISAs and funds)

AEGON stocks ISA

Aberdeen shares

Other (incl. family members or people living in same household)

Wife Karen Houghton AEGON stocks ISA

Conflicts of Interest

Do you consider any of the interests declared in the previous section to be a real or perceived conflict of interest in relation to this role?

☒ No

Do you wish to declare any other information which you would consider relevant to our assessment of your suitability to perform a role on behalf of MHCLG?

☒ No

Contact the Envoys

You can contact the Envoys directly by emailing them at envoys@warrington.gov.uk or by writing to them at:

The Envoys

Warrington Borough Council

West Annexe, Warrington Town Hall, Sankey Street

Warrington, WA1 1UH

12 November 2025