INDEPENDENT Cllr. Neil Johnson is calling for a public meeting to be convened in his ward of Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft to discuss the findings of the Best Value Inspection report into Warrington Borough Council.
Cllr Johnson is hoping that his fellow ward councillors, Labour’s Matt Smith and Janet Seddon, will attend to take questions from the floor.
He said: “This report is so serious, residents have the right to ask questions and obtain answers. They should also benefit from an apology in light of the very serious failings identified in the report.
“I am calling for my fellow ward councillors, Cllr Matt Smith and Janet Seddon, to attend this meeting to take questions and offer explanations about what happens next. Cllr Smith voted for many of the investments highlighted in the report. It is right that we are told first-hand how this financially perilous situation will be put right.
“I will now work with the Chairman of the Parish Council to convene this meeting in one of our public spaces. This situation affects us all. Everyone in our villages could end up paying higher council tax or footing the bill to deal with the Council’s debt. I believe it is right that there is a forum to discuss what has gone wrong, and what the next steps will be.”
In response Cllr Smith said: “Cllr. Hans Mundry, Leader of the Council, has announced that there will be a full debate regarding the best value inspection report at the June full council meeting. I would urge Cllr. Johnson to express any concerns there and l look forward to hearing his contribution to the debate.”
