Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Keith Williams said the board was needed because the council faced significant long-term financial pressures.
“Despite some valiant work from Council Officers across all departments, Labour could not make the figures add up. Their legacy to Swindon is an overspend until at least 2028, that residents will be paying for until 2048.”
He added:
“The Conservative administration has reached out to the other major political groups to work collaboratively on a way forward for the future of Swindon. Transcending political differences in the interest of residents is the only way to resolve the situation we find ourselves in.”
Labour Group leader Councillor Jim Robbins said his group wanted more detail before backing the proposal.
“We’re waiting to see the detail and hear the rationale. We already have the Scrutiny committee that looks at the Budget, the Audit committee and they are also talking about setting up a Finance Overview and Scrutiny committee as well.
“We want to understand why they need so many finance committees and are we getting value for money for paying so many chairs of committees.”
Councillor Robbins defended Labour’s record in office, adding:
“We left the Council in a much better state than we found it, and the finances are in a much better place thanks to the recent fairer funding plans from the government. It would be much better for Swindon if the new Administration could focus on sensible working with all parties than constantly trying to score political points.”
Reform UK, meanwhile, confirmed it would take part in the proposed board.
Group leader Sara Godwin said:
“We’ve agreed Reform UK will join the cross-party Finance Board because Swindon’s financial challenges are too important for politics alone.
“Our responsibility is to represent residents, scrutinise decisions and help secure the strongest possible financial future for the borough.
“Joining the board does not mean we will support every proposal that comes forward. We will judge every decision on its merits and continue to hold the administration to account where necessary.”
She added that Reform would focus on “responsible finances, transparent decision-making and delivering better value for the people of Swindon.”
