February is when councils across the country set their budgets for the year ahead. This is the fourth budget set by the Liberal Democrat administration in Wokingham Borough.
When the Liberal Democrats took control, they promised “financial competence and compassion.” Nearly four years on, they have delivered neither.
Instead, residents have seen major projects mismanaged, poor financial stewardship and a disregard for the views of residents.
In education, promised school expansions have repeatedly faced delays, letting down teachers, parents, and children. At Emmbrook School, a new Sixth Form building was due to open in September 2025 – that deadline passed without building work starting. At Bohunt School, despite reassurances from the administration, delays went on and teenagers were told in July 2023 they would need to find alternative places in just two months.
When businesses raise concerns about parking charges and their effects, instead of engaging the Executive Member for Finance said it is “too easy to blame Wokingham Borough Council”.
This follows decisions to double parking charges and fund free Christmas bus travel taking shoppers out of the Borough. Dismissing legitimate concerns while pursuing policies that may contribute to the problem does not demonstrate sound financial stewardship or compassion.
The Carnival Pool flats development, originally expected to generate £1.4 million, now looks set to lose £1.3 million for local taxpayers following long delays to complete the project.
Meanwhile, parts of the Council’s property portfolio are underused despite repeated calls by Conservative councillors to make the most of opportunities to benefit taxpayers. At Shute End, the second floor and part of the first floor are mothballed. Other councils have turned surplus office space into income by offering co-working facilities or leasing to other organisations, bringing additional footfall into their town centres.
In contrast, Wokingham has allocated nearly £700,000 for improvements at Shute End while significant space remains unused and plans to relocate the Council remain in limbo. Residents are entitled to ask whether this represents best value for money.
There is also the issue of accountability. At a December Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting, the Executive Member for Finance said budget proposals were “not being proposed as any ideas by one party or another,” describing them instead as an “honest response from our Officers.”
Officers advise; elected members decide. Political leaders are responsible for questioning advice, weighing options and taking ownership of decisions. It is not acceptable to blur that line when decisions are difficult or policies could be unpopular.
All this is taking place against a backdrop of the Councils Reserves being used to plug gaps. This is not a sustainable situation.
As if things weren’t bad enough under the Lib Dems the Labour Government has now cut our funding. In December, it was confirmed that Wokingham will lose £43 million in government funding over the next three years – this is unprecedented for our Borough, only twice from the Government has funding been reduced both times under the current labour Government.
After nearly four years, the Liberal Democrat administration is falling short of its own promises. Mismanaged projects, underused assets and rising costs are adding up. Taxpayers are paying the price.
Wokingham Borough deserves better.
By Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, leader of Wokingham Conservatives
