
The interim chief executive, who first joined Tameside Council to assist after the loss of their previous CEO, has landed a government role helping other struggling councils.
Harry Catherall was appointed as a ministerial envoy via a letter sent by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government this week.
The revelation came as Tameside Council announced that a new candidate had been put forward for the role of chief executive, which Catherall temporarily took over after previous CEO Sandra Stewart resigned in October.
Emma Alexander, currently a managing director at Derbyshire County Council, is poised to take over Catherall's position on a permanent basis pending her official approval at a meeting next Tuesday (15th July).
As a ministerial envoy, Catherall has been tasked with aiding Warrington Borough Council, which failed a government best value inspection last year amid concerns about the council's investments and business ventures, which were funded by £1.9 billion in borrowed money.
He will be joining three others in the role, and is expected to provide an improvement and recovery plan for the council within the next six months.
In the letter addressed to him from the government, deputy director of local government stewardship and interventions James Blythe detailed his role.
The letter stated: "You will be joined by Carolyn Williamson, and Phil Brookes as Ministerial Envoys with powers to exercise functions, and Sir Stephen Houghton as Ministerial Envoy, who will also support the Authority as they embark on their improvement journey, but will not have powers to exercise functions of the Authority.
"We expect the team to work together in supporting Warrington Borough Council to meet its Best [Value] Duty, providing comprehensive and holistic support to drive cultural change and help deliver the necessary improvements.
"The Secretary of State expects you to take an interest in matters across the Authority [...] given the importance of ensuring that the Authority is delivering best value in all that it does. You will play an important role in informing Ministers’ response to the situation in Warrington Borough Council."
Warrington Council leader, Cllr Hans Mundry, said: “We welcome the confirmation of the ministerial envoys.
“We look forward to working alongside them positively and receiving their expert challenge and support.
“We have always seen the appointment of envoys as a supportive step.
“Knowing who our envoys will be provides us with important clarity as we continue to work at pace on driving forward our improvement plan.
“It’s our commitment to keep working relentlessly, as we have done in recent months, to address the recommendations that have been made to us through the best value process.
“Our envoys will help us to strengthen this work, and we look forward to them joining us.”