Renewed concern over Trafford council borrowing as another £50m taken out to support budget

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.

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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