Labour have created a debt mountain for Warrington’ residents and used £1.8bn of public money to invest in commercial business but have failed to improve facilities like the Broomfield Leisure Centre which is what the public works loan fund should be used for. Of course, they’ll blame the Government as they always do - but these decisions have been taken solely by Labour Councillors.
We urgently need a full review of all of the spending by Warrington Borough Council including property, bonds and commercial businesses and then an independent assessment of their true financial return. Conservative Councillors are trying very hard to get answers but there is a culture of secrecy, dismissing legitimate questions and obfuscation when there is challenge.
Andy has written to the Secretary of State to ask for an update on the steps he intends to take following the CIPFA Report and the Council’s response to Ministers. He is deeply worried there is no plan to address the issues the Council are facing in terms of using its reserves and a potential section 114 notice.
When talking to the BBC he commented:
Let's be clear, councils are there to provide public services to ensure that the potholes are filled and to ensure that there's social care for elderly and young, vulnerable children.
That's their focus, and that's their expertise. But here we have senior council officers and council elected council members making decisions on investments with £1.8bn at stake.
That, for me, is something that's really concerning.
