LIVERPOOL'S MISMANAGED DECLINE CAN'T GO ON
Frank Mckenna
Chief Executive & Group Chairman at Downtown in Business Ltd, the best in class business organisation providing connections, influence, and profile to ambitious companies across the UK.
A Liverpool business leader is urging the government and commissioners appointed to manage the city council, to review how Liverpool is going to move forward following the announcement that the Town Hall’s chief executive has resigned from his position.
Frank McKenna, the Group chairman and chief executive of private sector lobby group Downtown in Business, which has over 500 member companies in Liverpool, has written to new Levelling up minister Greg Clark calling for action.
Reacting to the latest council bombshell and the resignation of Tony Reeves, Mr McKenna said:
“When the then Housing, Communities &Local Government minister Robert Jenrick announced that Liverpool City Council was going into special measures and commissioners were being brought into the city to support the administration eighteen months ago, he gave an assurance that the growth momentum that the city had enjoyed since hosting the European Capital of Culture in 2008 would not be halted.
“Unfortunately, that has nor been the case. The city has gone backwards. Investment has dried up. The planning department has been in a zombified state for two years, meaning that little or no new developments are taking place. The business community, which enjoyed a strong relationship with the council and had built positive partnerships with the authority prior to the commissioners taking over, has been ignored. The executive team, from the top down, has been decimated. There are few Liverpool voices within the leadership team now, and that is a major problem for the city.
“Since Downtown was launched, in Liverpool in 2003, I have never known a time when business confidence has been so low. We are frustrated, concerned, and pessimistic about where the city is going. We must now have a reset, with the commissioners looking beyond the walls of the Town Hall, and genuinely engaging with businesses once again.
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Mr McKenna continued:
“What I would propose is the appointment of some experienced Liverpool personalities to join the commissioner team. Louise Ellman, an ex- Liverpool MP who also led one of the largest local authorities in the country, Lord Mike Story who arguably started Liverpool’s modern renaissance when he led the city, and Phil Redmond who was a leading organiser of the successful capital of culture year, are all potential candidates – and I’m sure there are many others. But we cannot and must not continue with a London-centric executive team supported by ‘interim’ officials.
“We need to remove the huge Whitehall thumb that has been pressed on the button to pause ?Liverpool – and is damaging our city not just in the long-term, but the long-term too.
“And we need a Business Summit where commissioners can spell out directly to commerce what next for Liverpool.??
“Other cities where we operate, Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds, have all bounced back since the pandemic. In the Eighties a government official suggested that Liverpool went into ‘managed decline’. What we are witnessing now is ‘mismanaged decline’ – and it needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.” ??????
Independent Community Activist
2 年Agree Frank....also agree it is time to bring in new blood from the business community I was behind the Pride in Liverpool group and I have to say that I have lost confidence in the group that now exists.
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2 年Good article Frank Mckenna but unfortunately there is no quick fix. I do not know the current crop of Executives who are resigning, being ousted or taking a leave of absence due to ill health. But it’s a familiar pattern from the 1980’s to the “2000’s” when I worked in the City. Sir Howard Bernstein’s record at Manchester City Council is worth leaders in Liverpool reflecting on and learning from. The Metro Mayor Mr Rotherham may not find it palatable engaging Sir Howard but if the City needs some advice on City Council leadership then he is a contender.
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2 年We have one of the Biggest brands in the world. The CITY OF LIVERPOOL. We have it all, I have never visited anywhere and they don't know Liverpool. We are world famous. But how do we get it so wrong internally. Its such a shame. We need a strong panel of business leaders who have no agenda but to grow the brand and shout about our city. Its not to late, we just need the business community to make a stand and be heard. We cant sit around and do nothing, it's up to us to let our voices be heard. No one will do it for us, we need to get a plan and shout loud until we turn it around. The business community has the answers, we need to make it happen. We are a unique city and only we know what needs to be done. We cant sit around an wait. Action needs to happen. Frank Mckenna create a steering group.
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2 年Good letter, puts the current Liverpool Business situation in its true state. (if its run by London it is a managed decline) If I can assist you in any way let me know. Whats next; is to get a meeting with people who wish Liverpool to prosper.
Husband | Dad | Business Owner
2 年I see your constant efforts and endeavours Frank Mckenna and I often find myself nodding in agreement reading your content. On my Mum’s side our family come from Liverpool, though I was born in St Helens. So I’ve been spending time in Liverpool since the mid 80’s onwards and more recently over the last 10 years trying to do business in Liverpool. I’ll suggest what plenty of people say to me but don’t really want to broach, Liverpool (in my opinion) isn’t as welcoming as it used to be. The other cities you cite, business can be done in those cities whether you are from there are not. I have found if you don’t vote Labour and if you’re not from Liverpool, your opportunities to transact are vastly diminished. So for me, while you may well be right to question the approach from a City leadership perspective, the business community culture needs to think more laterally and openly rather than the insular, clannish approach ive observed. Keep up your good work and enjoy the day.