Birmingham City Council’s new managing director, Joanne Roney, has pledged to “transform at pace” a city facing significant challenges. In an exclusive interview, Roney, a Birmingham native, discusses her mission to revitalize the council and improve services for residents after years of neglect.
Quick Summary
- Joanne Roney, a Brummie returning to her roots, aims to rapidly transform Birmingham City Council and address its financial and service delivery issues.
- The council faces nearly £150 million in cuts for the second year running.
- “I owe Birmingham and I couldn’t shake that away…so yes, Birmingham is in difficulty…but I just couldn’t shake off the pull to come back to where it all started and give it my absolute best and give it my absolute all.”
A Return to Roots
Joanne Roney, who began her career as an apprentice in Birmingham City Council’s housing department, returns after leading Manchester City Council for seven years. Her appointment comes at a critical time, with the council under the oversight of government-appointed commissioners due to its financial struggles and service failures.
Challenges and Transformation
Roney acknowledges the scale of the challenge, stating that she underestimated the pace of change needed. Years of neglect have left core services struggling, necessitating a rapid transformation to rebuild the council’s capabilities.
“I knew what I was walking into. There wasn’t anything hidden. But the scale of the transformation that is required is bigger than I thought, and I probably underestimated the pace we needed to go at.”
Priorities and Vision
Roney aims to modernize the council, moving away from outdated structures and focusing on delivering effective frontline services. Key priorities include children’s services, adult social care, and housing. She also emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in addressing past mistakes.
Expert Opinions
Roney also looks forward to the day the external comissioners leave.
“My ambition is for the commissioners to be gone as soon as possible, and it’s a shared ambition with them. The commissioners have played a great role, their diagnosis of Birmingham’s problems has been spot on and the guidance and support they provide is much appreciated in a number of areas.”
Tough Decisions Ahead
The council faces difficult decisions, including £148 million in cuts and a 7.49% council tax rise. Roney emphasizes that these measures are necessary to stabilize the council’s finances and rebuild public trust.
The Importance of Libraries
Roney’s meeting took place at Shard End Library, a local library that will have its opening hours reduced under the current plans. Despite these plans she stated:
“It was warm and inspiring. I still read three books a week on average, I’m a phenomenal reader.”
Conclusion
Joanne Roney’s return to Birmingham signals a commitment to addressing the city’s challenges and rebuilding trust with residents. While difficult decisions lie ahead, Roney is determined to transform the council and deliver improved services for the people of Birmingham.
