Financial control over Birmingham has been handed to government-appointed commissioners after the city council effectively declared itself bankrupt.
Michael Gove, the levelling-up secretary, said the commissioners would be responsible for “all functions” associated with the council’s governance, strategic decision-making and finances.
They are likely to look at selling council assets including the city’s central library and the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in a bid to balance the books.
The move came after the council issued a section 114 notice this month in an admission that it did not have enough money to cover its liabilities.
Officials said it faced a shortfall of £87.4m for 2023-24, forecast to rise to £164.8m in 2024-25.
