TROUBLESHOOTERS that were overseeing a cash-strapped council’s recovery have left the local authority.

Lead commissioner Max Caller CBE and finance commissioner Margaret Lee are no longer keeping a watchful eye on Slough Borough Council.

Mr Caller retired on March 1 after 50 years in public service and Mrs Lee resigned on March 12 for ‘personal reasons’.

Lee Rowley MP said he will confirm appointments to the commissioner team in the coming weeks.

The duo arrived in Slough in December 2021, months after the council effectively declared bankruptcy after it amassed a £760m borrowing bill, to oversee its recovery for a period of three years and make sure the council doesn’t slip back to financial ruin.

They also held several powers, such as dismissing and appointing statutory officers. Their most famous decision was to sack the council’s chief executive Josie Wragg over “gross misconduct”.

During their time in Slough, the commissioners could cost the council up to £1m a year. The lead commissioner could be paid £2,400 and his assistant £2,100 per week.

They have written two damning reports on the council’s recovery journey and even predicted the 9.99 per cent in council tax in July’s report.

Council leader James Swindlehurst said: “We thank Max and Margaret for all their efforts working with our Council on its improvement and recovery journey, and for the detailed reports they have submitted to government concerning the best value intervention. We wish them both all the best for the future.

“We are committed to continuing the work we have already done working towards financial recovery and furthering the significant progress which has already been made.”