Today, Windsor MP Jack Rankin asked his debut question to Keir Starmer at Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs).
It follows his letter to Housing Secretary Angela Rayner calling on her to reject the draft budget proposals by the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead Council to hike council tax by an unprecedented 25%.
Rankin highlighted the persistent weak financial control and accounting in the Royal Borough, with the Council’s projected overspend for this year spiralling to over £16 million and the S151 Officer Finance Director leaving her role suddenly in recent weeks.
On Monday, the government announced a re-organisation of local authorities as part of the English Devolution White Paper. Jack called for a wider East Berkshire unitary authority and, if necessary, the short-term imposition of central government commissioners around the Royal Borough’s asset position and developable land holdings.
In his question to the Prime Minister, Jack said:
“Last week the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead announced plans to hike Council Tax by an unprecedented 25%. This would require the government’s permission.
Does he agree with me that this outrageous request should be rejected, that the Borough might be a candidate for accelerated local government reorganisation, and my constituents should not be footing the bill for the persistent weak financial control and political failure locally?”
The Prime Minister replied:
“I thank him for raising this issue on behalf of his constituents.
We are, as he knows, committed to fixing the foundations of local government and keeping taxes as low as possible for working people.
The Budget announced a real-terms increase for local government with over £4 billion of added funding. We will put that support in place and he is right to raise this issue.”
