Difficult decision-making and effective budgeting have seen the Council’s auditors remove the ‘Section 24’ notice which was issued following concerns over the authority’s finances.

Last week, at a meeting of the Audit and Governance Committee, external auditors Grant Thornton presented a report on the Council’s finances which said: “the Council had proper arrangements for securing economy, efficiency and effectiveness in its use of resources.”

The Section 24 notice was issued in 2019 forcing Members to look at the books and to implement difficult decisions to ensure the authority’s funds were being spent to benefit all residents.

In the report auditors added: “we are satisfied that the authority put in place proper arrangements for securing economy, efficiency and effectiveness in its use of resources for the year ended 31 March 2020.

Redditch Borough Council’s Portfolio-holder for Finance, Cllr David Thain, said: “We are pleased with Grant Thornton's findings, but realise that more hard work is yet to be done and more difficult decisions lie ahead, which we will not shy away from. 

“Grant Thornton’s report is testament to the hard work put in by the Finance Team and we will continue on this path to take the Council from strength to strength.”

Council Leader Matt Dormer added: “It has been a challenging time but I am grateful that councillors and officers could work collaboratively with one outcome in mind – to unlock this Borough’s potential for everyone to enjoy.

“And we will not be complacent but continue to make brave and measured decisions to keep on moving forward.”