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

Reform UK Conference - serious contenders or still a one-man band?

By Nathan Emmerich | 08 September 2025

Reform UK’s conference was a missed opportunity to address Britain’s pressing issues head-on, with glaring policy omissions, such as the NHS and adult social...

FINANCE

Reform council leaders set out 'clean up' achievements

By Ann McGauran | 06 September 2025

The leaders of four Reform UK controlled county councils took to the platform at their national party conference to set out steps they have taken to uncover ...

FINANCE

Exclusive: Fair funding 'won't resolve insufficient overall investment'

By Paul Marinko | 04 September 2025

The Government’s fair funding review will ‘not resolve the underlying issue of insufficient overall funding’ for the sector, auditor Grant Thornton has said.

FINANCE

EXCLUSIVE: Fresh law to boost mayoral scrutiny

By EXCLUSIVE by Dan Peters and Neil Merrick | 03 September 2025

The Government will propose more legislation to enhance the scrutiny and accountability of mayors after the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill...

Martin Ford

Popular articles by Martin Ford