Special public meeting called to discuss Gloucester City Council’s financial crisis
The authority is now seeking a Government loan of £12.5m to £17.5m to address the shortfall
Residents of Gloucester will have the chance to hear local councillors discuss the city’s financial challenges in a public meeting on 18th December.
The meeting has been scheduled following successful calls from opposition councillors for urgent discussions on the authority’s £7.8m overspend and plans to avoid issuing a section 114 notice—which would effectively mean no new spending commitments.
Mayor Ashley Bowkett agreed to hold the session after councillors from Labour, Conservative, and Independent groups argued that the public deserved transparency on the crisis.
Labour group leader Terry Pullen said holding the meeting was necessary to ensure openness and accountability.
“The people of Gloucester have a right to know what is going on, they expect their council to be transparent, honest, and act in a democratic way,” he said.
Conservative group leader Stephanie Chambers agreed, saying refusing a public meeting would have been “a betrayal of local democracy”:
“When the council faces bankruptcy, hiding behind closed doors is indefensible. Residents deserve answers, not secrecy and delay.”
Independent Community Councillor Alastair Chambers added that taxpayers deserve clarity on the authority’s spending and future plans.
The financial difficulties stem from several factors, including incorrect reporting in previous years, additional shortfalls exacerbated by a 2021 cyber-attack, lower-than-expected income, and rising borrowing costs.
The City Council is now seeking a Government loan of £12.5m to £17.5m to address the shortfall. Without this funding, the council would need to issue a section 114 notice, which, although not bankruptcy, would prevent it from committing to new spending.
The council has proposed a recovery plan involving asset sales, increasing income from services, and reducing staff numbers.
Ahead of the public session, councillors will attend a briefing on the financial situation on 17th December to ensure an informed discussion takes place.
Commenting on the upcoming meeting, Mayor Bowkett said:
“There has been significant pressure from some councillors to convene a Special Council Meeting, and I have agreed one can be held on December 18.”
“This will enable an informed and respectful discussion. Above all else, I will insist that the meeting maintains a clear focus on delivering the best for the people we serve.”
The council has also made assurances that it has been transparent since issues were identified earlier this year and denied any attempt to obscure financial concerns.
The meeting is expected to cover the recovery plan in detail and allow councillors to discuss how best to ensure Gloucester’s financial stability going forward.