The Treasury has issued a consultation document about the future of the Public Works Loans Board (PWLB). The PWLB is the government body that makes loans to Local Councils and from which Spelthorne has borrowed over £1bn since 2016.
Spelthorne Council was behaving outside of the spirit of the guidance
Public Accounts Committee hear more evidence about excessive borrowing
The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) held a second hearing into Local Authority commercial investments on 15th May, with Spelthorne very much in the minds of the committee members and all the witnesses. With £1bn of borrowing, Spelthorne stands out from other councils and the committee and the witnesses did not view this as a good thing.
Mr Robin Whiteman, the Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountancy (CIPFA). has told the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that Spelthorne "has borrowed too much".
In a public hearing held on 11th May, Rob Whiteman was absolutely clear that in his opinion Spelthorne's borrowing was not appropriate in terms of the risk or the level of borrowing. The full hearing can be watched on the Parliamentary website and a transcript of the hearing can be read here.
Responding to reports of "very little progress" with the latest round of UK-EU trade talks, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:
"The Coronavirus crisis is leaving the most vulnerable at risk. Thousands of families will face financial hardship and people are rightly worried about their loved ones.
Spelthorne Liberal Democrats and their colleagues at Surrey County Council have been calling for some weeks for the Charlton Recycling Centre and others to reopen. This pressure has finally paid off as Surrey County Council, who manage the site, have announced a restricted reopening from Monday 11 May. Initially, only garden and landfill waste will be processed but it is hoped that a full service will be reinstated soon with accompanying social distancing measures in place at all times.
Commenting on this decision, Spelthorne Liberal Democrat Councillor Tom Fidler said "Whilst initial closure was considered the only option at the point of lockdown in March, it has become increasingly evident that a significant increase in fly-tipping and people resorting to burning rubbish has been experienced in the Borough and beyond. It has been felt more recently that this decision needed revisiting given the environmental and financial impact. Local Lib Dems have been calling for a rethink, urging our colleagues at Surrey to press for reopening. Finally, this pressure has borne fruit.".
Picture: Cllr Tom Fidler at Spelthorne Eco Park, Charlton
Despite the Council's policy of requiring 40% of new homes on major developments to be affordable, not a single unit will be for affordable housing
Spelthorne Council have announced a major planning application to build 140 homes plus commercial office space at the site of the old BUPA building. Details of the announcement can be found here.
The call follows reports that doctors, nurses and paramedics will automatically have their visas extended, free of charge, for one year.
The coronavirus crisis is an unprecedented threat and people are rightly worried. In times like this, we cannot thank front-line staff enough for going above and beyond to look after us all.
Extending the visas in the NHS is welcome, but the Government must also do so much more for the social care system and urgently rollout adequate PPE and testing.
Ed Davey responds to Foreign Secretary's update on coronavirus
Responding to yesterday evening's update on coronavirus from the Foreign Secretary, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:
"Reports from many British citizens stuck overseas bring home the reality of the global scale of this crisis. Many have been in a desperate position, unsure whether they will be able to secure accommodation or access adequate supplies.
"The Foreign Office must ensure that British citizens will be able to return home, wherever they have been stranded, without exception.
