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Slough council leader grilled by opposition over damning audit reports
James Bagley. Local Democracy Reporter
03:12PM, Monday 24 May 2021 );
Tory councillor Wayne Strutton (left) and council leader James Swindlehurst
Slough s council leader faced a grilling from the opposition about the two damning audit reports at an extraordinary meeting.
Councillor James Swindlehurst (Lab, Cippenham Green), leader, was faced with tough questions from the opposing Conservatives and Independents following the highly critical papers of the local authority’s financial governance.
In the external auditor’s reports, Grant Thornton UK LLP found:
insufficient capacity and skills within the finance department
inadequate preparation of financial statements
at an extraordinary meeting. Councillor James Swindlehurst (Lab: Cippenham Green), leader, was faced with tough questions from the opposing Conservatives and Independents following the highly critical papers of the local authority’s financial governance. In the external auditor’s reports, Grant Thornton UK LLP found:
insufficient capacity and skills within the finance department
inadequate preparation of financial statements
inadequate general and earmarked revenue reserves
inadequate governance, monitoring and controls over the council’s outside groups and companies At an extraordinary audit and corporate governance committee on Tuesday, May 18, the leader of the Conservatives, councillor Wayne Strutton (Haymill and Lynch Hill), heavily criticised the leader and asked him when he was made aware of the issues highlighted in the reports.
. The ruling Labour members green-lit the 2021/22 budget, which sets out how frontline services will be funded in the next 12 months – but was met with heavy criticism from the opposing Conservatives. From April, the total council tax bill for households will be 4.99 per cent, or £70.83 for those living in Band D households (the average) – with the total Band D bill being £1,490.30 for 2021/22. This increase comprises a 1.99 per cent rise for all council services, with an additional three per cent ring-fenced for adult social care. Councillor James Swindlehurst (Lab: Cippenham Green), leader of the council, said even with this increase, Slough will have the third lowest council tax charge in Berkshire – only beaten by Bracknell and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.