The Leader of the Conservative Group on Sefton Council, Mike Prendergast has condemned Labour’s 2026/27 budget as a “high-tax, high-borrowing plan built on waste and poor financial management.”
Cllr Prendergast said the budget confirms an over £29 million overspend this year, the complete wipeout of Sefton Council’s cash reserves, and a funding gap running into tens of millions over the coming years, yet Labour is pressing ahead with another near 5% Council Tax rise, a measure Conservatives voted against.
“Sefton residents are being asked to pay more because Labour has failed to control spending,” he said. “Families facing rising household bills from higher energy bills, higher taxes and high inflation will now be hit with another Council Tax rise. Since 2012, Labour have increased Council Tax by around 55%.”
The Conservatives highlighted the growing reliance on borrowing, and the fire sale of assets to meet day to day costs, with £12 million of assets needing to be sold to cover expenses.
“This is a reckless budget, that risks the financial stability of the whole council” Cllr Prendergast said. “Borrowing to plug gaps today means taxpayers will be paying for Labour’s mistakes for years to come.”
He also criticised the lack of meaningful savings in the budget, arguing that so-called “transformation” proposals are uncertain while spending continues to rise.
“Labour talks about transformation, but the reality is higher spending, higher debt and higher taxes,” he added. “There is no credible plan to rein in waste, rebuild reserves properly, or protect residents from further rises.”
“Yet over the years Labour have found millions to buy Bootle Strand, set up a catering company and loan £8 million to a building company. Council’s have no business using taxpayer money to set up companies that compete with local businesses.”
“The plan to rebuild cash reserves involves raiding the pension fund, an astonishingly reckless plan based on optimistic assumptions and tells you all you need to know about a Labour Party in Sefton out of their depth and out of ideas.”
Cllr Prendergast concluded by saying “Time is clearly up for this Labour administration and local people want to see real change that delivers for them and their families.“
