I see the government are placing the Tower Hamlets council under intervention.
To think the were far left people on here criticising me and a friend paying a visit to that fair borough just last week.
I guess some of you are so far entrenched in your far left views you can not see the word for the trees. Really independent journalism is vitally important when you consider the shocking state of legacy news companies.
Current Statutory Interventions (January 2026)
Government oversight through appointed commissioners or ministerial envoys is currently active in the following councils:
Tower Hamlets Council: The most prominent case involving transparency issues in 2026. On January 22, 2025, a statutory intervention was announced, scheduled to last until March 2028. In January 2026, the government signaled it may expand this intervention to include "deep dives" into recruitment, planning decisions, and resource allocation due to persistent concerns over a lack of openness.
Croydon Council: Commissioners were appointed in July 2025 following a period of severe financial and governance failure. This intervention is scheduled to remain in place until July 2027.
Birmingham City Council: Remains under government-appointed commissioners following its Section 114 (bankruptcy) notice and subsequent governance reviews.
Nottingham City Council: Subject to ongoing statutory intervention to address long-standing financial and leadership challenges.
Thurrock Council: Under commissioner oversight following massive investment failures and a lack of transparency regarding its financial exposure.
Slough Borough Council: Intervention continues to address deep-seated financial mismanagement and governance deficits.
Woking Borough Council: Ongoing intervention to manage recovery from extreme debt levels.
Recent Changes and "Best Value" Warnings
Spelthorne Borough Council: Commissioners were appointed until January 2026 to provide "oversight, expertise and grip" on the council's position.
Runnymede Borough Council: A "Best Value Notice" (a formal warning) was recently lifted after the council provided what the government termed an "open and transparent response" to concerns.
Cheshire East Council and Newham Council: These authorities remain under active Best Value Notices as of late 2025, acting as a final warning before potential full government takeover.
Councils in "Special Measures" for Performance
As of January 2026, only two councils remain under a specific "special measures" designation for poor decision-making quality or speed:
Lewes District Council (for quality of decision-making).
Bristol City Council (remained under designation despite meeting performance thresholds in late 2025).