THE leader of Wokingham Borough Council has called on the government to help the authority and its residents amidst the cost of living crisis.
At an executive meeting on Thursday, October 27, Cllr Clive Jones said more support was needed so the borough could tackle rising costs.
He said: “These are very difficult economic times. The council was left with a shortfall for the current financial year of just over £2.2 million.
“This was covered by the previous administration by raiding the general reserve to balance the budget. We can’t use general reserves to do this again.
“To do this would mean the general reserve would drop below £7 million which would then see the government taking over the running of the council as they have in Labour controlled Slough and Conservative controlled Thurrock.”
Cllr Jones said he has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for more funding as Wokingham is “the lowest funded unitary local authority”, receiving “£24 million less than the average unitary authority”.
He added: “The Conservatives have put us in this position of the lowest funded authority, probably for the last 8 years.
“In recent days, the government has once again shuffled the ministers around the cabinet table.
“Some have suggested that there might be cuts in services and it’s been suggested this could mean less money for local councils. If there is less funding from the government, Wokingham Borough Council will be in serious trouble and it will be the fault of the Conservative government.”
Record levels of inflation, increasing energy costs and rising mortgage rates are just some of the issues raised by residents to Cllr Jones.
He said: “Many residents have told me about their concerns about increases in their mortgages following Liz Truss’s disastrous budget. Many will have to find an extra £500 a month in interest charges. That’s a massive £6,000 a year that could have been spent in the local economy, especially our shops.
“Increases in energy costs are also hurting our residents and local businesses, energy costs have doubled since last year.
“Increases in mortgages, increases in energy costs and inflation are doing far more to hurt local retailers than any increases in car park charges.”
Cllr Jones remains concerned and is hoping for action from politicians at Westminster.
He said: “I am really concerned about the local economy so I hope the government will keep energy costs low, will keep interest rates low and I hope they will continue to support local councils and find more money for local authorities like Wokingham that has been underfunded for so long.”
