Warrington is facing £13.9million of cuts, council warns

This is due to persistent cuts in funding from central government, the council says.

According to the council, 'since 2010, [the] Conservative government's austerity measures mean the council has seen a drop of £200million in funding, resulting in cuts to public services in Warrington.'

There are millions of pounds of cuts expected to hit Warrington in the coming year (Image: Maps)

Despite this, Warrington's Labour Party claims that the council's investments continue to perform well against a 'backdrop of national economic uncertainty.'

Warrington Labour's statement reads: "The portfolio, mostly secured against bricks and mortar properties, helps to deliver on a range of policy objectives set by the council including supporting the local economy and tackling the climate crisis.

"A secondary benefit [is that] Warrington Borough Council's investments also generate a surplus of £23.5million that helps to fund vital services across the council, including protecting young people and vulnerable adults."

One aspect of investment that the town's branch of the Labour Party is praising is the council's decision to fund a solar farm that will provide power for council properties.

Warrington Borough Council's deputy leader, Cllr Cathy Mitchell, said: "After 13 years of Tory economic failure and cuts to our public services, Warrington is expected to make another £13.9 million in cuts again this year.

“The primary goal of our investments is to tackle policy issues such as supporting our local economy and tackling the climate crisis.

“We invest in things that make a difference to our residents such as the regeneration of the town centre, and sustainable, affordable homes for residents right here in Warrington.

“The investments we make are mostly low risk, we don’t gamble on the stock market or invest in Chinese real estate."

The council's deputy leader says that without the council's investments, Warrington would be hit even harder by cuts (Image: Newsquest)

Cllr Mitchell did not make any reference to Warrington Borough Council's failed investment into Together Energy, which collapsed in January 2022.

The council's deputy leader continued: "Our investments are performing well; we are delivering on our policy objectives and as a secondary benefit we also generate an income that supports vital services here in Warrington.

“Without our investments, we would have had to make another £23.5million in cuts - a shocking £37.4million combined just this year alone. That would have been impossible.

“Without our investments, vulnerable families and services would be at risk in Warrington.

“The Tories want to get rid of our investments and claimed in the last election they would freeze council tax.

"What public services would they cut to do this? We don’t have a magic money tree.

“The Tories are out of touch and out of ideas."

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