Council leader: ‘RBWM is far from financial crisis’
ROYAL BOROUGH: The leader of the Royal Borough has clarified the council is not one of the 12 English local authorities reportedly facing financial peril, writes local democracy reporter James Bagley.
According to media reports, at least a dozen councils are in rescue talks with the Ministry of Housing, Community, and Local Government in or around a ‘section 114’ – equivalent to bankruptcy.
Financial losses and a decline in revenue streams laid waste by the pandemic is the main cause for igniting the conversations with central Government.
The names of the local authorities were not revealed.
However, the leader of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM), councillor Andrew Johnson (Con, Hurley & Walthams), clarified via social media the council is not one of the 12 referenced in the media who are facing financial peril.
In a Facebook post, Cllr Johnson said: “RBWM is far from financial crisis as many would have us believe.
“We have proposed a balanced budget for 2021/22, which is reflective of the financial climate facing all local authorities and the UK’s public finances, and are very much still on target to finish this year with £3m+ underspend.
“We have genuinely consulted upon our proposals for the first time and listened to the views received. Hence we decided last week not to progress with the proposal to charge for rural car parks.”
Croydon Council became the second local authority in 20 years to issue a section 114 notice in November, following Northamptonshire County Council in 2018.
“Immense” Kickstart support is the toast of a unique scheme, worth £200 million to the Scottish economy, at the former home of Johnnie Walker whisky in Kilmarnock.
An £65 million brownfield urban regeneration of 23 acres will create 1,300 jobs, and the UK Government’s support is central to Scotland’s first town centre net zero carbon energy scheme.
Marie Macklin CBE, founder and executive chair of enterprise managers
HALO Urban Regeneration, welcomed £1.5 million training support for 16 to 24 year-olds on Universal Credit.
“The money the training is going to give us allows us to
take on 200 young people – 200 because it was Johnny Walker’s 200th anniversary. “The Kickstart Scheme is life-changing in the sense that these areas – not just in Kilmarnock – but some of the most deprived communities in the country are being helped. “We’re really trying to put something back. The uptake has been immense.”
SLOUGH: A would-be burglar who was foiled by brave members of the public appeared in court this week.
Kevin O’Keefe, of Slough High Street, was spotted trying to force the front door open of a residential property in Aldin Avenue North at 2.30am on Sunday.
Members of the public then confronted him and managed to detain him when he tried to escape.
Police officers soon arrived and arrested the 38-year-old.
He was found to be in possession of a tool used to force entry to the address.
O’Keefe appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to attempted burglary with intent.
Investigating Officer Detective Constable Wayne Plowright, based at Slough Police Station, said: “O’Keefe clearly set out that night intending to steal and it is only thanks to the vigilant members of the public that he was not able to do so.”
A sentencing date is yet to be confirmed.