Warrington Borough Council, run by Labour since 2011, has proposed £51.2m in savings, including cutting street lighting, as it continues efforts to tackle its £1.4bn debt. The latest package, which has not yet been approved, follows £39m of cuts identified in March, bringing the total savings to about £90m. Previous measures included ending funding for the heritage event 'Walking Day', selling off assets, and stopping free parking in the town centre.
Council defends sustainability plans
The council said the cuts were aimed at "ensuring the council's future sustainability." Councillor Denis Matthews, cabinet member for finance, said the council faced a £179m funding gap up to 2030. He added: "The savings plan, which is subject to approval by cabinet and endorsement by full council, is a critical part of ensuring the council's future sustainability, but we know that we are faced with difficult decisions."
"Nevertheless, we remain ambitious and committed to providing the best possible services, within budget. This means ensuring that we continue to provide a good level of day-to-day services, while ensuring that our most vulnerable residents are still looked after and supported."
Liberal Democrats voice concerns
The Liberal Democrats expressed "little confidence" in the administration. Finance spokesman Ian Marks said: "Setting targets is easy, but coming up with timed action plans is another matter." He noted that cuts already affect people, but "these are nothing compared to what will happen in the future."
Mr Marks said: "Cuts cover just about every service whether it be social care, highway maintenance, parks, public protection and enforcement, parking charges, libraries, community centres and many more. From our party briefing, we got the impression that most services are earmarked for a 25 per cent cut. We were given an exact number for the proposed savings but not the total cost for services which would have enabled us to work out the percentage cuts for ourselves. Given its poor track record, sadly we have little confidence that these proposed savings will be met by the council."
Approval process and financial context
The new savings proposals will be discussed at the council's scrutiny committee on September 7, before being considered by cabinet on September 9 and endorsed by full council on September 21. In March, the council said it would increase council tax by 7.48% from April 2026, above the usual permitted level, and asked the Government for exceptional financial support.
Warrington Council has accrued up to £1.9bn of debt, mainly due to its commercial investment programme. Those debts are now just below £1.4bn. Ministerial envoys were appointed last year after long-running concerns over the council's financial position. The council currently spends 80p in every £1 on services for vulnerable people, such as adult social care, children's services, supporting residents with special education needs and disabilities, and providing accommodation for those at risk of homelessness.
The Institute for Government said councils' spending power was 8.3% lower in real terms in 2025/26 than in 2010/11, due to a reduction in central Government grants. It said these grants fell 40.1% in real terms between 2009/10 and 2019/20.
