“THERE IS much for the new Liberal Demcorat administration to do – including serious budget issues that need addressing.”
That was the opinion of the new leader of Wokingham Borough Council, Cllr Clive Jones, as he made his inaugural address to a meeting of its ruling executive group, held at Shute End on Thursday, June 30.
He said: “Within minutes of taking over the council, we were advised that there had been a hole left of £1.2 million in bus service budgets – 18 bus services were under threat because there was no budget to support them.
“That is what the Conservative administration left behind.”
To emphasise his point, he then held up a sheet detailing the budget slide.
“It was not really a nice way to be taking over the running of the council,” Cllr Jones said.
He then spoke about the commitment made by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up to visit Wokingham borough to discuss housing numbers, saying he was very pleased that Michael Gove had agreed to this.
“I am looking forward to working with him, with our officers, and with people from his department so that we can reduce the housing numbers here in Wokingham,” he said.
The final part of his address picked up on the exclusive from Wokingham Today about the Conservatives’ secret plans to disrupt council meetings. The document, called ‘Disruption and getting our own way’, talked about how the new opposition could “win small victories to boost our morale and lower theirs; keep the administration constantly on their toes while exploiting any complacency”.
Cllr Jones said at the start of the meeting that he had offered roles on scrutiny committees to Conservatives, but these had been declined.
On the document leaked to Wokingham Today, he said: “Is this a responsible opposition? I don’t think so.
“Is this a correct way to behave? Definitely not.
“My hope is that they will consider their attitude in future council meetings.”
