Some of the claims made by the Conservative opposition about Wokingham Borough council’s finances are simply unbelievable. 

I have been honest and open about the financial challenges that the council has faced over these last two years.

Inflation, high interest rates, and increasing demand for social care have put enormous pressure on the council’s finances.

The situation has been made worse by our receiving less core support from central government than any council in England responsible for social care.

When I was in opposition, the Conservative administration at Wokingham argued that the council received less core funding from central government than any other comparable council. 

I remember the Liberal Democrat opposition offering to support the Conservatives in lobbying for a better deal.

Sadly, the current Conservative opposition has adopted a very different approach. Local Conservatives now claim that Wokingham has more money than other councils.

I’m delighted to say that over a thousand residents supported our campaign for fairer funding, writing to the government for a better deal for Wokingham.

The government finally listened and gave us a bit more money for this year. It’s nowhere near enough to transform our financial situation, nor does it address the fundamental problem of a flawed funding formula. 

But at least the government has belatedly acknowledged what the Conservative opposition on the council has repeatedly denied – that Wokingham has received inadequate core funding support.

I still hope that the opposition will work with us to put the case to government for a change in the funding formula that recognises the true costs of supplying proper social care.

They can either continue to deny that the borough needs more government support, or they can take the side of the borough and join us in defending the interests of our residents.