RMBC must do more to restore trust, says Rotherham MP as she welcomes announcement

Communities secretary James Brokenshire and Nadhim Zahawi, minister for children and families, met with the borough’s three MPs last week ahead of today’s announcement.

Mr Brokenshire’s decision will mean the withdrawal of the last three commissioners — bringing to an end more than three years’ intervention in Rotherham.

Rotherham MP Ms Champion said: “I am delighted that the secretary of state has decided that sufficient progress has been made by the council to allow it to continue to rebuild without direct Government intervention. 

“The past failures at RMBC were appalling, but the council has made huge strides and is unrecognisable from 2015.

“Today’s announcement is a testament to the hard work of councillors, the senior leadership team and all the staff.”

But she added: “While significant progress has been made, we have to be realistic and acknowledge that there is still some way to go to deliver the council the people of Rotherham deserve and to restore public trust.

“I have every confidence that Rotherham will continue improving and will deliver a strong, democratic and effective local authority.”