A financial forecast has revealed that Hampshire County Council could go bankrupt in two years without more government support.
A report to Hampshire County Council’s cabinet revealed that, as legally required, it could not deliver a balanced budget in 2026/27.
Guildford, Woking, Mole Valley, etc., are a mess. Here at the WW, we are sure it will be seen as a way to get that Big Unitary Council for Surrey that leader Tim Oliver has been lusting after for years!!!
Then we can all pack our bags and head for the Sun!!
Hampshire’s financial forecast is grim. It says the local authority could go bankrupt in two years without more government support. However, it could draw on its reserves next year but would be left with “very little wriggle room.”
Some residents have already criticised the authority’s savings proposals, which aimed to generate an extra £84m.
Conservative council leader Nick Adams-King said the report
“points to the crisis point potentially coming in two years time. The threat to our finances is a stark warning to the government that they must provide Hampshire with the freedoms and flexibilities for which I have been asking since becoming leader in May. These would allow us to be more innovative, commercial and reform our services and therefore financial position.”
‘Burdens on households’
It comes as it was confirmed that council tax bills are seen to rise.
Speaking in the Commons recently, communities minister Matthew Pennycook said:
“The government certainly recognises the pressures on local authorities and the burdens placed on households as a result of 14 years in which local government was run down. We are determined to turn that situation around,” he said, pointing to an extra £4bn in new funding for councils in last month’s Budget.
The Emperor of Surrey should beware the ides of March.
MeaninglessMud