By Cllr Clive Jones
It is really worrying for many of us that the Conservative government are making such a mess of the country’s economy.
They have completely trashed the Conservatives reputation for competently managing the economy.
Many residents will be wondering where they will find an extra £500 a month to pay their mortgages. That’s a massive £6,000 a year.
They will be wondering where they will find the money to heat their homes. The costs of gas and electricity have doubled since last winter.
Its now highly likely there will be further increases in energy prices in March next year.
Food prices continue to rise, and we are experiencing inflation every time we spend our hard-earned money.
I really worry that many residents will struggle to make ends meet this winter with little help from the government.
I also have a real concern that the government grant given to local councils will be the next cut from the new Chancellor.
The Conservatives have left Wokingham Borough council with some very serious financial issues.
We are confident that the new Lib Dem administration will be able to tackle them, but if there is a reduction in the grant from the government tackling these issues will be even more difficult.
It does look likely that the Conservatives will be cutting support to local councils like Wokingham.
We are the lowest funded unitary authority in the country, this means all other councils get more government support than we do in Wokingham – it should never be forgotten that the Conservative government have put Wokingham Borough council in this position.
Wokingham is chronically underfunded by the government and, sadly, this is likely to continue unless pressure can be put on them to give us more money.
Residents should write to the new chancellor asking him to fund Wokingham Borough Council properly, so that the council can maintain its services and continue to support the vulnerable in our community.
I will be writing a letter to him on behalf of the council.
It will be sent to: Jeremy Hunt MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1 Horse Guards Road, London SW1A 2HQ, and emailed to: public.enquiries@hmtreasury.gov.uk
Cllr Clive Jones is the leader of Wokingham Borough Council and ward member for Hawkedon
