“NO ONE is being held accountable,” said an opposition councillor who has demanded cabinet make an apology for the council’s financial crisis after the leader survives being ousted.

A petition calling for Cllr James Swindlehurst (Lab: Cippenham Green), leader, and the chief executive Josie Wragg to resign as well as an inquiry into how Slough got into its money woes were heard at an overview and scrutiny committee on Thursday, September 16.

Historic accounting errors and the council not budgeting correctly to fund its high borrowing contributed to Slough Borough Council’s financial crisis, leading them to freeze all non-statutory spending.

The petition which over 1,110 people signed, failed to garner enough signatures for it to be heard at a full council meeting but had enough for it to be debated at a scrutiny meeting.

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Cllr Swindlehurst survived being ousted by a motion brought forward by the opposition thanks to the Labour majority at a full council meeting in July.

Speaking at the scrutiny meeting, Cllr Dexter Smith (Con: Colnbrook with Poyle) said “no one is being held” to account over the financial mess and called on for the cabinet to make a public apology and create funds from savings to help the most vulnerable.

He said: “There is a feeling in the town that no one is being held accountable. Going forward, I am sure no one wants to see a situation where if officers might have been involved and leave the council that they leave with a golden handshake.

 

Cllr Dexter Smith - Pictures: Mike Swift.

Cllr Dexter Smith - Pictures: Mike Swift.

 

“I that would be totally unacceptable as has happened I believe in the past where people have been given money to go. That is at least the perception that’s quite widely held in this town.”

Cllr Smith attempted to make a proposal calling for cabinet members to apologise to residents for the financial mess and make an “act of contrition” by creating a fund offering emergency help to the most vulnerable as well as putting money in from savings into the welfare fund.

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However, no other Cllr seconded the proposal, meaning it was refused and wasn’t able to get the vote by panel members.

Cllr Arvind Dhaliwal (Lab: Elliman) said the council leader already made a public apology in July, adding: “I don’t know what else you’re [Cllr Smith] looking for because in the last council meeting, it was discussed in quite detail.”