Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the difference between commissioners and envoys in the context of local government intervention.

The Secretary of State may intervene under the Local Government Act 1999 where they are satisfied that a council is failing to meet its Best Value Duty to make arrangements to secure continuous improvement. Intervention typically involves directing the council to take specific actions to improve and appointing individuals to work with the council to support their improvement.

Commissioners have been appointed to seven councils to provide challenge and exercise specified council functions if necessary to accelerate improvement.

Ministerial Envoys have been appointed to two councils to provide support and guidance, helping them drive their own improvement, and generally do not have the ability to exercise council functions.

Some Ministerial Envoys hold powers in reserve to exercise council functions, which are intended to be used only as a last resort to ensure compliance with the Best Value Duty.