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

Woking-owned ThamesWey debt exceeds £600m

By Martin Ford | 20 April 2026

Woking BC’s wholly owned company racked up debts of more than £600m, according to its latest accounts.

FINANCE

Reform defends £700m council savings claim

By Ann McGauran | 16 April 2026

A senior Reform UK figure has defended the party’s claim it has found £700m of savings at the councils it controls.

FINANCE

Winning the war on waste?

By David Blackman | 16 April 2026

Is Reform UK’s waste drive just a saloon bar dream or are there still genuine efficiencies to be gleaned in local government? David Blackman reports

FINANCE

Holding the LGR line?

By Ann McGauran | 09 April 2026

Will reorganisation be delivered ahead of the General Election, and to what extent is the Government’s need to shore up political capital driving decisions o...

Martin Ford

Popular articles by Martin Ford