An ‘exceptional’ government bailout for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead ‘could take months’ to arrange, the council has said. The claim comes as the council warns it’s on course to spend almost £10 million more than it budgeted for this year.

Council leaders decided in May to apply to the government for ‘exceptional financial support’ from the government. This is when a council receives a short term loan from the government which it then pays back using the proceeds of asset sales.

But an update to councillors says this support could take months to negotiate with the government. The update says: “Discussions with government are continuing at official level and formal agreement on any support could take up to several months.”

The Royal Borough announced last year that it was at risk of effectively declaring bankruptcy.

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The Liberal Democrat-led council says it set a balanced budget this year. But it says it has since found ‘discrepancies’ in previous years’ budgets set by Conservative-led councils that have added extra costs.

On top of that, a separate report to council leaders says the costs of some services – especially social care and temporary homeless accommodation – could be higher than expected.

The report says RBWM is on course to spend £9.89 million more than budgeted for this year. It will reduce this expected overspend to £6.23 million using money set aside for unexpected costs. But it will still have to find ways to rein in spending.

Councillors were set to receive the update at a meeting on Wednesday July 17. RBWM’s cabinet – its leading group of councillors – will discuss the budget on Wednesday July 24.