Cllr. Jason Cummings has today written to Cllr. Tony Newman (Leader of the Council) regarding the poor state of the borough finances.
Dear Councillor Newman
It is now over six years since Labour took control of Croydon Council. Since then you have increased borrowing to unprecedented levels, made highly risky investments and wasted money on vanity projects.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies stated that Croydon was one of the worst prepared councils in the country to face the coronavirus crisis. The Financial Times is reporting you are begging the government for help. Now the council is facing bankruptcy.
Croydon Council’s employees are losing their jobs in vital areas like children’s services and street cleaning. The people of Croydon deserve to know just how bad a mess you have got them into. They need answers and they need them now.
Please answer these three questions:
- As things stand now, when will Croydon Council run out of money?
- Why won’t your own Section 151 officer give an assurance that your financial plan will work?
- Many senior officers are leaving the council, including your Chief Executive. In the middle of a global pandemic this is truly unprecedented. When will you follow them?
You have hidden and denied responsibility for too long while being repeatedly warned by we Conservatives about the risks you were taking.
You have said many times that this is the most ‘open and transparent’ Council ever. Many residents, and the employees fleeing your leadership, would balk at the nerve of this statement.
Can you be honest with us this time?
Yours sincerely,
Cllr Jason Cummings
Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance and Treasury
Deputy Leader, Conservative Group
