Fresh concerns have been raised after Trafford council agreed to more borrowing to support its annual budget.
The council approved another £50m-worth of borrowing – along with £11m from its savings – to support its budget this year.
Opposition councillors are concerned the level of borrowing is ‘unsustainable’ and is piling the pressure on to future generations.
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The Lib Dems attempted to get the council’s borrowing capacity lowered from £500m to £400m over the next three years, but their amendment was voted down during the full council budget meeting.
Coun Julian Newgrosh, Liberal Democrat for Timperley, has previously refused to sign the non-disclosure agreement necessary for him to sit on the council’s budget management board over his concerns.
He said: “We’re extremely disappointed that our attempt to reduce Trafford’s level of financial risk was unsuccessful. We remain unconvinced that the extraordinary levels of borrowing under the Asset Investment Strategy are yielding worthwhile results for Trafford residents.”
During budget discussions, Coun Tom Ross, executive member for finance, said: “I do get concerned by some of the language used about the asset investment strategy by people from parties that continue to boycott the management board. The Liberal Democrats have an open invitation to join us on that cross-party board and take part in the dialogue.
“They refuse and instead bring these motions which could put our borough’s finances for the next year at risk if we were to accept it. The strategy is doing a number of good things and it continues to bring in a very helpful multi-million pound revenue to our budget every single year.
“This kind of behaviour may read well and look good for leaflets, but actually you’re playing with the borough’s finances in a way that you don’t quite understand, because you don’t turn up to the meetings. I would really like to see you join us and have some positive dialogue with us.”
