01-11-2025, 06:32 PM
I read with concern the media report(Reading Chronicle 13th December) on the commencement of the council’s 2025/26 budget planning, presumably laying the groundwork for a further unwelcomed 4.99% increase in council tax.
Whilst we all understand councils are seeing increased demands on their services through the ongoing cost of living crisis, and inflation, the Labour run council risks impoverishing residents in its quest to spend money.
The hand wringing over demands for services cannot district from the fact the council appears incapable of running a balanced budget or controlling costs.
The council is now forecasting a £4.1 million deficit for 2024/25, a projected and unchallenged £6.4 million deficit for 2025/26 and an unimaginable deficit of £15.6 million by 2027/28.
One must seriously ask at which point the council reserves are exhausted, and the inevitable Section 114 insolvency notice is triggered? The actions and changes to behaviour needed to stop this happening need to be taken today.
Whilst we all understand councils are seeing increased demands on their services through the ongoing cost of living crisis, and inflation, the Labour run council risks impoverishing residents in its quest to spend money.
The hand wringing over demands for services cannot district from the fact the council appears incapable of running a balanced budget or controlling costs.
The council is now forecasting a £4.1 million deficit for 2024/25, a projected and unchallenged £6.4 million deficit for 2025/26 and an unimaginable deficit of £15.6 million by 2027/28.
One must seriously ask at which point the council reserves are exhausted, and the inevitable Section 114 insolvency notice is triggered? The actions and changes to behaviour needed to stop this happening need to be taken today.