Conservative councillors will tonight (Weds 4th February) use a full meeting of Wandsworth Council to express their fury at the Labour administration’s decision to block a debate on the council’s future funding.
Shortly before Christmas, it was announced that central government would be cutting funding to Wandsworth Council. A written briefing (attached) produced by the Council’s Executive Director for Finance explained that the cuts would amount to £85 million a year by 2029; a 39% reduction in the council’s core spending power.
The Labour Government expects the Labour Council to meet this withdrawal of funding by increasing council tax. It has authorised unlimited increases – but delayed until 2027 and 2028. The Council’s own estimate is a tax increase of at least 86% by 2029.
In a meeting of the council’s Finance Committee on 22nd January, Conservative councillors raised the existing £51 million budget projected budget gap by 2029, which will now rise to above £130 million as a result of the reduction in central government funding.
Labour councillors refused to engage with this issue on 22nd January and have now blocked a Conservative Party demand for debate and scrutiny about the budget from being included on tonight’s council agenda.
The refusal to allow debate on the issue stands in violation of a long-standing convention that budget issues are scrutinised and voted on at the February council meeting.
Cllr Aled Richards-Jones, Leader of Wandsworth Conservatives, said:
“An £85 million cut in funding, a projected £130 million budget black hole and council tax up at least 86% for hardworking residents within 4 years – yet Labour won’t even allow a debate. They’re covering up a culture of failure.
“Wandsworth’s Conservative councillors demand that this critical issue is debated in public, not hushed up behind closed doors.
“Blocking scrutiny doesn’t make these figures disappear; it only proves Labour are more interested in ducking accountability than being honest with the people of Wandsworth.
“Residents will rightly judge Labour harshly come the local elections on 7th May”.
