Title

FINANCE

Warrington's £60m investment to be scrutinised behind closed doors

Details of a £60m green energy investment by Warrington Council will remain under wraps despite being called in by opposition councillors.

Details of a £60m green energy investment by Warrington Council will remain under wraps despite being called in by opposition councillors.

Senior Labour councillors have given the go-ahead to proceed with a £63.5m ‘ethical investment' in a solar farm in Doncaster, to be funded by borrowing.

Warrington said it has taken advice from experts including EY and carried out due diligence, but details have remained confidential.

Conservative councillors have labelled the investment ‘highly risky' and called in the decision.

They have voiced frustration that a scrutiny meeting later this week where the investment will be discussed is expected to be held behind closed doors.

Opposition leader Nigel Balding said: ‘This gamble equates to £600 per household in Warrington or approximately 58% of the council tax raised in any one year.

'Anything like this can have a massive and long-lasting impact on Warrington residents.'

Last week it was revealed Warrington had budgeted for an £18m loss from its investment in failed energy firm Together Energy.

FINANCE

If Whitehall trusts councils, who do councils trust?

By Manjeet Gill | 09 September 2026

New York’s city government has more power than any English mayor. But its real advantage may be how it’s directly putting citizens to work shaping their own ...

FINANCE

Replumbing Britain's growth model: how to unlock place-based investment

By Katie Johnston | 03 September 2026

Katie Johnston looks at unlocking place-based investment by giving local leaders greater capital control.

FINANCE

Luton and Milton Keynes push for strategic mayoral authority

By Martin Ford | 28 August 2026

Two councils are pressing the Government to form a mayoral strategic authority covering Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes.

FINANCE

28 years later - lessons from Herefordshire's unitary journey

By Cllr Roger Phillips | 19 August 2026

Reflecting on Herefordshire Council’s reorganisation 28 years ago, leader Cllr Jonathan Lester and chairman Cllr Roger Phillips say experience suggests struc...

Martin Ford

Popular articles by Martin Ford