Liverpool City Council is "well-led" and on a "well set" trajectory for improvement, according to the final report submitted by the board set up in the aftermath of government-appointed commissioners.
Last year marked the end of a three-year intervention by commissioners at the authority after the excoriating Caller Report in 2021 and a non-statutory Improvement and Assurance Board was then set up.
The group, led by former commissioner Mike Cunningham has given its final assessment, concluding that there was a "dedication to improvement" amongst the authority's leadership and financial stability was a continued focus.
The report said the leadership team had "made difficult decisions well", adding: "The council has successfully set a balanced budget for 2025-26, and has a robust approach to in-year financial monitoring."
The document, which will be discussed by the authority's cabinet members on 15 April, said there was some confidence that "the council's ambitions for itself as an organization and for the residents it serves will be achieved".
following the damning Best Value inspection by Max Caller which shone a light on the failings within the council.
A team of four officials led by Mr. Cunningham were put in direct control of areas such as highways, finance and regeneration, with a fifth commissioner appointed in November 2022 due to a lack of progress.
In December 2023, the commissioners confirmed such was the improvement in the 12 months since, they were able to hand back key powers to the council ahead of schedule.
But officials recommended support of the council should continue on an informal basis as some areas still required work to "demonstrate a sufficient stable improvement trajectory".
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