Lib Dem Response to Council Financial Report

"We cannot relax. We must remain diligent." - Liberal Democrats respond to the council's new Financial Outlook Report looking at the impact of

At last night's meeting of the Budget and Resources Scrutiny Committee, Milton Keynes Council officers presented a Financial Outlook Report to councillors, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It provided councillors with an update on the emergency expenditure as a result of the pandemic, as well as losses to income and delays to planned savings this financial year.

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader and Finance & Resources Spokesperson, Cllr Robin Bradburn, said: "The Director of Finance and Resources Steve Richardson and his team have worked extremely hard to present a most thorough and transparent report, as well as a presentation, about the difficult financial position the Council faces following the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Thanks to the partnership working between the Labour Administration and the Liberal Democrat Group on Milton Keynes Council, we have had three years of balanced budgets, as well as a prudent level of reserves - this has put us in a better place than many other local authorities."

The Bradwell ward councillor continued: "However, even using the medium effect scenario set out in the report, the Council faces a £12 million shortfall, which will require use of the reserves in this year. We cannot relax. We must remain diligent. Central government needs to continue to financially support local authorities going forward."