The 2019/20 Reading Council accounts have finally been signed off. But it has cost well over £1 million so far and the saga continues.
Labour councillors failed the people of Reading back in 2016 with a complete lack of good accounting standards, financial controls and the hangover is still costing Reading residents millions of pounds.
Two years ago the Local Democracy Reporter was covering how Labour’s late accounts were costing the Reading tax payer over £1 million. The 2019/20 accounts have only just been signed off. This is two years late. These problems stem from cuts to the council’s finance team which Green councillors opposed.
Who knows what the final cost will be now to the people of Reading? There will be additional fees from the external auditors and the additional cost of the council’s own officers trying to get this right.
It’s only through their efforts that we might finally see accounts filed years late, and possibly not back on track for another two years.
In the end the cost to Reading will likely be in the millions. At a time when we are being squeezed more than ever by the mistakes of reckless politicians this is extremely painful, and its not over yet.
New, hard-working Green Councillor Sarah Magon welcomes traffic light fix
Councillor Sarah Magon (Park Ward) says, “After almost a year out of action, the London Road / Cholmeley Road traffic lights are working again. Greens have been working hard to get them fixed and tackling associated problems.
“When these traffic lights were broken they were causing congestion and pollution so it’s great to have them working again now improved with the new cyclist priority measures. We will keep working to tackle congestion and for healthy, sustainable transport across the town”
Councillor Dave McElroy standing up for residents on the waste issues
Councillor Dave McElroy (Redlands Ward) says, “Unfortunately much of Reading is blighted by waste issues. The Redlands Green team are working hard on these and have been tackling bin problems at Appleton House on Alexandra Road. Our efforts have been rewarded and a new bin store has now been installed.
“It’s great to see action to resolve the overflowing bins, which have been concerning residents. There is still some way to go but we will keep up the pressure.”
You can report local environmental issues like bin problems using the Love Clean Reading smart phone app: https://lovecleanstreets.com/reports/home
Greens are the second largest party in Reading
Following the local elections in May the Green Party has consolidated its position as the second largest party on Labour-run Reading Council. We are now two councillors ahead of the Conservatives on the council. There is a growing team of hard-working Green councillors standing up for residents across the town.
If you’re keen on being part of the change in Reading, get involved and help us make Reading fairer, greener and cleaner: https://reading.greenparty.org.uk/get-involved
By Green Party councillor Rob White, leader of the main opposition group on Reading Borough Council
