THE Warrington branch of Reform UK and an independent borough Cllr. have called for resignations following the damning Best Value inspection into Warrington Borough Council.
Reform UK, who recently contested their first by-election in the town, with plans to fight every seat at the next all-out elections, says local Councillors should step down.
Reacting to the damning report by inspectors into Warrington Borough Council’s borrowing and investment programme local Chair of Reform UK, Jan Balfe said: “This report brings shame to our town, the lack of transparency is one thing, but the incompetent handling of the Council Tax payers’ money is disgraceful.
“If the Labour Councillors don’t do the honourable thing and stand down, the public needs to vote them out at every opportunity.”
Warrington branch Chair Jan Balfe
Meanwhile, Independent Borough Cllr. Neil Johnson has also responded to the Best Value Report into Warrington Borough Council.
He said: “This explosive report outlines in vivid detail the litany of failures that can be laid at Labour’s door. The conclusion it reaches is simple: Labour has let down the people of Warrington with their financial incompetence.
They have driven us to the brink of bankruptcy, gambled with public and ratepayer funds, while their Councillors have failed to demonstrate the proper skills or experience needed to deal with these issues.
“The Labour Council faces serious problems and we cannot be confident in the current leadership’s ability to deal with them. It is not opposing politicians who say this, but independent inspectors who have undertaken this report.”
He called for a new leadership team to be appointed immediately.
“Those who have challenged and criticised the Labour Party over their inappropriate and speculative investments have now been vindicated. People who had concerns were not simply causing trouble as Labour tried to suggest, they had legitimate worries which are supported and substantiated in this report for all the world to see.
“Labour indulged in high-risk borrowing. They lacked openness and transparency. They public loans for purposes which they should not have been used. They dismissed legitimate concerns from external bodies.
Labour councillors have been in denial, and many of them had an “unwillingness or inability to challenge” these decisions.
He added: “The Labour MP for Warrington North must also call on her Government to implement the recommendations of the report in full. Instead of envoys, we must have independent commissioners appointed to take over the running of the Council. Nothing less will do for the good people of our town. They deserve stability and financial security.”
Esther McVey speaking in Parliament
Meanwhile, Tatton MP Esther McVey, who represents the Lymm area of Warrington, said: “I am extremely concerned that despite the recommendations in the report stating commissioners should be appointed to take over certain function at the council, government has chosen to ignore this and instead opted for “ministerial envoys”.
“The Best Value Notice was issued a year ago, and the fact that the Labour council has failed to deliver in that time, should be enough for government to realise it needs to take control. This is a complete lack of leadership from this Labour government.
“This report identified a host of failings, including leadership, governance, culture and use of resources. These are serious issues and must act as a final and serious wake up call to do better, and quickly. My constituents in Lymm deserve better.
“I have written to the leader of the council and chief executive today asking them to meet with me urgently to discuss this matter.”
Council leader Cllr Hans Mundry
Accepting the recommendations of the Government inspectors, Labour leader of Warrington Borough Council Cllr. Hans Mundry has said decisive action is required in response to the serious findings of the Government’s Best Value inspection.
In response to the findings, Warrington Borough Council issued the following statement: “The report, following the inspection process, is critical of how the council operates across a number of areas, with particular regard to previous commercial decisions, leadership, governance and strategic financial management.
“As a result, while we will retain control of primary decision-making and our services will operate as usual, we expect to be supported by government-appointed envoys to make further improvements. We will remain responsible for leading on this important work, using guidance and support from the envoys, as we implement an improvement and recovery plan.
“The government is now welcoming representations on the inspection report and its proposed intervention package, by Thursday 22 May.
“We welcome the government proposal to appoint envoys. This is a supportive decision and will help us to deliver the changes needed.
“We are very sorry to our residents and communities that we have not been able to provide sufficient evidence to the inspection team through this process, to demonstrate best value in everything we do.
“In the immediate term, we would like to reassure you that the outcome of this report won’t have an impact on your ability to access and receive the important day-to-day services that you need and expect. We also have a legal, balanced budget for the 2025/26 financial year with appropriate cost controls in place which are already working, and we do not require any exceptional financial support from government.
“We believe we have good foundations to build on at the council. Our workforce is determined and motivated to make a difference, the standards of our day-to-day services are good, and we are proud of our work to support and enhance Warrington’s strong and thriving local economy.
“We’re keen to take the opportunity to embed improvements in the areas identified, with the support of the appointed envoys, so that ultimately we can demonstrate that we are a council that is well-governed, has effective leadership, works openly with residents and communities, and uses resources effectively. To this end, it is our utmost priority to demonstrate these improvements to our residents and businesses.”
2 Comments
This is first and foremost officer failure. Yes, there’s failure by councillors, principally Labour, but the Tories can’t make the most of what’s under their noses. They could have used the £200M+ THG loan as an issue prior to the 2021 locals but didn’t. They hadn’t spotted it even though it was already in public documents. It took members of the public to lead the way, including two who are no longer with us. Reform attampting to capitalise now is just a joke. They’re not on the council. Not sure why they get top billing here, above an independent who is (and it spoils otherwise great reporting on this). They didn’t exist when much of it was taking place and their bull-in-a-china-shop mentality is hardly suited to unravelling this mess.
Those to blame for this situation are in the top tiers of WBC, both the employed and elected . It didn’t arise from the wrongful actions of middle managers. Those in positions of power are in the frame, Moreover politicians should and cannot be allowed to offload their involvement, by claiming they were deferring to senior officers. Were that to happen it would make a mockery of our electoral process. For heavens sake one of the very senior elected council members prominent in the investment strategy was honoured by his colleagues for services to local politics. No, the council executive group, who conducted their investment scheme essentially behind closed doors and the senior executive officers, who aided and abetted in that ill advised venture, must all be held liable for this scandal.