Taxpayers ‘betrayed’ over handling of city council’s finances

PEOPLE across Nottingham say they feel “betrayed” by the city council after millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money was “misspent” by the local authority.

It comes as the Government said commissioners may be appointed to help run the authority.

The city council is already being monitored by a Governmentappointed board, chaired by Sir Tony Redmond, after the collapse of Robin Hood Energy in January 2020.

In May this year, it was revealed that up to £40m from the council’s Housing Revenue Account had been misspent on the wrong services.

Rents from council housing – which should have been pumped into council housing and repairs – was put into general council services. The Penn Report, commissioned by the council, says the money was misspent, and in some cases was used to prop up other council services and to avoid job losses.

Speaking to the Post, council leader David Mellen apologised to the people of Nottingham for “mistakes made in the past”. However, he said he didn’t feel it necessary to bring in commissioners.

But taxpayers across the city have voiced their frustration over the revelation, saying the authority is “not bothered” about the city.

Many have turned to food banks as a last resource in the past few months because of the “unliveable” conditions triggered by inflation and the cost of living crisis.

On top of this, they said they feel “betrayed” about the handling of the city’s finances. Barry Pashley, a home carer in Glencoyne Road, Clifton, said: “We are in a tragic situation.

“Something must be done about it because this is all public money that was misspent.”

The 62-year-old, who cares for his wife, added: “I feel betrayed by this council.”

Sharna Coxon, a stay-at-home mum, said: “Some people cannot afford to live and then you get people who misspend our money. It is ridiculous.

“The city council has done nothing for Clifton or this city. And then we have inflation, and everything that makes the situation unlivable.”

T h e 39-year-old added: “Even at food banks I feel like I’m being questioned about how much I earn and why I don’t have enough money, after I spend it on bills and my children. One of my children is disabled, and even then I don’t get any sympathy.”

Teresa Allen, who lives in Clifton and looks after her grandchildren, said: “I just feel like this council are not bothered about what is happening. They are not bothered about us.”

The 60-year-old added: “I pay my council tax. It is so frustrating to know that my money is going nowhere because they are incompetent. I had to go to food banks for the first time in my life. I had to call the electric people and ask them to loan electricity because I don’t have the money to pay for it. I’ve never done this before in my life.”

Nicky Barker, 45, of Clifton, said the council should be there to protect Nottingham residents. She added: “In a normal society, this should not be happening. It is good that the Government is stepping in.”

“The council are there to protect us. It is incompetence.

“They are pretending to look after us when, in reality, they can’t. Someone else needs to step in.”

The proposal to appoint commissioners comes as people in Nottingham have had to put up with rising council tax rates, the proposed closure of libraries, and rents increasing for some living in Nottingham City Homes accommodation. Many people are wondering how things can be made better after continuing bad news on Nottingham’s finances and the loss of key services.

Robert Smith, 27, said: “It is unfortunate that it has come to this.

“It is a shame that people in Nottingham have been let down for such a long time.

“We are losing out on amenities like libraries, community centres because the council cannot manage our money right.”

In a normal society, this should not be happening. It is good that the Government is stepping in. Nicky Barker