£160k lead commissioner is taking on a second role in Birmingham

THE government official paid more than £160,000 to improve Nottingham City Council is now taking on a second job doing the same role in Birmingham.

- By OLIVER PRIDMORE

Tony McArdle and two other commissioners were sent to Nottingham City Council by the government in February 2024 after a string of issues at the authority, most notably its effective declaration of bankruptcy months earlier. The job of the commissioners is to make sure a council improves and delivers best value to its taxpayers. Mr McArdle is being paid £1,200 a day for this work as the lead commissioner and his two colleagues are paid £1,100 a day, with all costs having to be met by the city council.

It was confirmed on Wednesday that Mr McArdle is now taking on the lead commissioner role at Birmingham City Council, but will also continue his current work in Nottingham.

Commissioners were first sent to Birmingham in October 2023 after that authority also declared effective bankruptcy.

The lead commissioner role there was being carried out by Max Caller.