Fylde’s MP Andrew Snowden has demanded urgent answers from the Labour Government amid fears hardworking local taxpayers could be forced to pick up the bill for Blackpool Council’s staggering £500 million debt.
Mr Snowden confronted Local Government Minister Alison McGovern directly in Parliament, demanding to know whether the Government expects Fylde and Wyre residents to shoulder the burden.
Despite fierce local opposition to the mergers, led by Andrew Snowden, Labour Ministers are pressing ahead with the controversial plans to abolish Lancashire’s existing councils and force them into new merged “super councils”. All five options currently under consideration would see debt free Fylde and Wyre merged with heavily indebted Blackpool Council.
Fylde Borough Council and Wyre Council have no historic debt. Blackpool Council, by contrast, is saddled with an eye watering half a billion pounds.
Mr Snowden demanded to know whether Ministers have budgeted for massive council debts like Blackpool’s and whether that debt would be cleared before any merger or simply transferred to the new authority, leaving Fylde and Wyre residents exposed.
The Minister failed to provide a clear guarantee, saying decisions would be taken on a “case by case basis”.
Speaking after the exchange, Andrew Snowden MP said:
“I am 100% opposed to these mergers and this should set alarm bells ringing for every resident in Fylde and Wyre. Our councils have been responsibly run. They have no historic debt. Blackpool has racked up £500 million.”
“People here are rightly asking one simple question. Why should they pay for someone else’s financial mess? The Minister’s failure to give a clear answer was deeply concerning and suggests the Government simply hasn’t thought this through.”
Residents deserve clarity before any merger is forced upon them. I will fight every step of the way to ensure Fylde and Wyre taxpayers are not treated like a cash machine to bail out failing councils.”
The Government is expected to make a final decision on Lancashire’s council reorganisation later this year. Andrew has vowed to continue pressing Ministers until residents are given cast iron guarantees they will not be left paying the price.
