Public Inquiry into Liverpool City Council

The Minister for Local Government has appointed Ross Glover as Commissioner to hold a Public Inquiry under section 438U of the Local Government Act 1993 (The Act) into Liverpool City Council.

The Terms of Reference of the Inquiry are:

1. 1. In exercising its functions under section 21, 22, 23 and 24 of the Act, the governing body is meeting its obligations to provide strong and effective leadership in a manner consistent with the guiding principles set out in section 8A, 8B, and 8C of the Act, including whether its leadership with respect to Council’s management of its responsibilities relating to long term financial planning, public land management and provision of services is appropriate;

1. 1. In exercising its functions under section 21, 22, 23 and 24 of the Act, Council is meeting its obligations to act as a responsible employer, providing a safe, consultative and supportive working environment for the general manager and other staff in a manner consistent with the guiding principles set out in section 8A(1)(i) of the Act and any other statutory requirements considered relevant;

1. 1. In exercising its functions under section 21, 22, 23 and 24, and Part 2, Divisions 2 and 3 of Chapter 9 of the Act, the governing body’s Mayor and councillors’ conduct and decision-making both collectively and/or individually demonstrates an understanding of their role under sections 226 and 232 of the Act;

1. 1. In exercising its functions under section 21, 22, 23 and 24 of the Act, the governing body acts in accordance with the guiding principles set out in section 8A of the Act, including whether the governing body commands the confident of the community; and

1. 1. Any other matter that warrants mention, particularly those that may impact upon the effective administration of the Council’s functions and responsibilities or the community’s confidence in the Council being able to do so.

Current Status of the Public Inquiry  

The evidentiary hearings have finished, and the matter has been timetabled for submissions. Following the conclusion of the Public Inquiry, the Commissioner must prepare a report to the Minister. A copy of the Commissioner’s report will be published on the OLG website.

Public hearings: witness schedule

The schedules for the public hearings can be found on this page.

Witness schedule: week 1, 14 July – 18 July 2025

Witness schedule: week 2, 21 July – 25 July 2025

Witness schedule: week 3, 28 July – 1 August 2025

Witness schedule: week 4, 18 August – 22 August 2025

Witness schedule: week 5, 25 August – 29 August 2025

Witness schedule: week 6, 1 September – 5 September 2025

Witness schedule: week 7, 20 October – 24 October 2025

Witness schedule: week 8, 27 October – 31 October 2025

Witness schedule: week 9, 3 November – 7 November 2025

Witness schedule: week 10, 10 November – 14 November 2025

Witness schedule: Week 11, 17 November – 21 November 2025

Witness schedule: Week 12, 24 November – 28 November 2025

Witness schedule: Week 13, 1 December – 5 December 2025

List of issues

Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – List of Issues contains a non-exhaustive list of issues that were examined in the public hearing.

Daily Transcripts

Transcripts of each day of the public hearings can be found on this page.

• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 1 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 2 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 3 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 4 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 5 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 6 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 7 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 8 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 9 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 10 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 11 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 12 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 13 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 14 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 15 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 16 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 17 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 18 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 19 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 20 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 21 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 22 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 23 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 24 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 25 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 26 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 27 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 28 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 29 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 30 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 31 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 32 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 33 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 34 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 35 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 36 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 37 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 38 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 40 -PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 41 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 42 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 43 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 44 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 45 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 46– PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 47 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 48 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 49 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 50 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 51 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry – Hearing Day 52 – PDF
• Liverpool City Council Inquiry – Directions Hearing – 26 February 2026 – PDF

Inquiry public hearings 

• Information Paper – Liverpool Public Inquiry – PDF
• Notice of Public Hearings – PDF
• Practice Direction for Hearings of the Inquiry – PDF