The tight new budget at Slough Borough Council has been approved with harsh words from the ruling group’s opponents.
The council’s disastrous finances came to light last year and measures the council has been forced to take include the sale of £600 million of assets.
After meetings of the overview and scrutiny committee, cabinet and full council over three days last week the revised budget became the subject of a political row between the ruling Labour groups and opposition Conservatives.
The measures were presented by leader Cllr James Swindlehurst and Labour & Co-operative cabinet member for financial oversight, council assets & performance, Cllr Robert Anderson at the full council meeting on March 10.
But opposition leader Cllr Dexter Smith called it a ‘leap in the dark budget’ while his deputy, Cllr Paul Kelly said the budget is likely to fall apart this year.
Cllr Smith added: “Even if we have the capitalisation that is requested and we sell £600m worth of assets, at the end of the process in 2028/29 we will still have a record funding gap of some £41m per annum. How is that in any way getting us to a solution?”
Cllr Swindlehurst questioned his figures and suggested Cllr Smith ‘would be less concerned if he read the figures properly’.
The meeting also heard that as part of its shake up the council will be seeking to let the second, third and fifth floors of its civic offices.
The budget, which is dependent upon a capitalisation direction being agreed by the Government, was passed with 27 votes in favour, none against and six abstentions.
On March 9, the council sacked its chief executive, Josie Wragg, over the finances. However, she has promised to fight the accusations made.
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