One of the Borough’s four MPs has said Wokingham Borough Council is wrong to be cutting its spending on litter, grass cutting and environmental maintenance.
He also said the Lib Dem-run was wrong over its transport policies, including parking and potholes, and was critical of the party’s claims on finances.
In the statement issued yesterday, Wokingham MP Sir John Redwood said: “Wokingham Borough Council is wrong to be cutting spending on litter, grass cutting and environmental maintenance.
“Wokingham is a pleasant place to live, with the green environment around our homes and shops an important part of the attraction.
“I urge the Liberal Democrat-led administration to think again.”
In response, Cllr Stephen Conway, leader of Wokingham Borough Council, told Wokingham Today that his administration has not cut spending.
He said: “We have opened a consultation but no decisions have been made.
“We will listen to all views.”
Sir John has also accused the Council of pursuing a “vendetta” against vehicle use.
He said: “The Borough Council is also wrong to pursue a vendetta against vehicle use, closing roads, narrowing carriageways, worsening junctions, increasing car parking charges and aiming to fine and charge the vehicle user more.”
He continued: “The Council seems to find plenty of money for traffic mismanagement schemes and more vehicle surveillance, and is still wanting to extend its investment portfolio into an expensive renewable energy project where there is little prospect of connecting to the grid this decade to sell the power.”
He added: “Many people need a van or car to get to their jobs in people’s homes or commercial premises. Many families need to take children on the school run, and need a car to get to work. You cannot go shopping for a family on a bike or take all your tools and equipment for jobs on a bus.
“If we want a flourishing town centre people need to be able to drive there and park easily, otherwise they will drive to somewhere more friendly.”
Cllr Conway hit back at those claims.
“His suggestion is nonsense. Wokingham Borough Council has done a lot to improve our network, infrastructure and to improve congestion.
“We are doing a lot to offer our residents a choice, including active travel options, and I totally refute his suggestion.”
“He seems to be reluctant to acknowledge the severe financial challenges that we are facing.”
Sir John added: “Liberal Democrat Councillors are now pleading that they do not get grants from the government to do these things. They say they are the worst financed Council of any.
“The latest independent Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) figures shows a different picture. Wokingham comes second amongst local Councils for spending power per head, above Reading, Windsor, Bracknell and Hampshire.
“I have made the case for better funding for some key areas. I was pleased with the large uplift in social care grant awarded for the current year. There was an increase of 73%.
“I had made the case for some time, without any help in the form of supporting facts and figures from the Council.
He added that the Council, like others, gets large sums for schools from the National Funding formula.
“We have recently been awarded extra capital for two new SEN schools where extra places are needed. The Schools grant has recently gone up to £107 million.
“Wokingham qualified for an extra £1.1 million of Funding Guarantee Grant this year. Lib Dem councillors never seem to mention any of this money.”
Stressing that these extra funds are not part of core funding, and need to be bid for and spent on the specific projects that are awarded for, Cllr Conway said: “We are saying that we are getting less funding per head of population from central Government, and that’s exactly the same situation that was reported under the previous Conservative administration.
Sir John concluded: “Managing a Council well is about listening to what most people want, and choosing the right priorities for the money you do have.
“It also works better if the Council works alongside the MP and they make a joint case for additional funds or for a particular project where government financing is involved.”
“Which of these simple ideas will the Wokingham leadership adopt first? It would be good if they gave it a try.”
Cllr Conway said he would welcome the opportunity to engage.
“My door is always open,” he said.
