In our weekly bulletin last Friday, I highlighted Rotherham Council's recent decisions to loan money to Rotherham College, Rotherham United Football Club, and a local businessman. I asked you to send me other examples around the country. The response was great. Here are some of them:
In our weekly bulletin last Friday, I highlighted Rotherham Council's recent decisions to loan money to Rotherham College, Rotherham United Football Club, and a local businessman. I asked you to send me other examples around the country. The response was great. Here are some of them:
- Copeland Borough Council acted as a guarantor for a £75K loan to Whitehaven Rugby League Football Club. When the club went into administration, taxpayers had to foot the bill.
- Kirklees Council has loaned Kirklees College £23 million to fund a new campus.
- Conwy Council plans to set-up a £1 million fund so it can provide financial guarantees to first time buyers. As our supporters said: how will they decide who benefits? How much administration will be involved?
- Plymouth City Council is considering buying Plymouth Argyle's Stadium.
- Eastleigh Borough Council is voting again on whether to loan Hampshire County Cricket Club £32 million so a hotel and media centre can be built at its ground.
As we can see from the example from Copeland, when things go wrong, it can be costly. Acting as lenders and guarantors for loans are not what councils are there to do. They should leave it to the professionals, and get on with providing front-line services.
If you haven't done so already, please sign up for our weekly bulletin. Every week we let you know the work we have been doing on your behalf, and highlight ways you can become involved in our campaigns. As you can see from these examples, the more supporters we have around the country highlighting issues in their local areas, the more we can do to expose wasteful spending. Come and join us, and get your friends and family to do the same.
- Copeland Borough Council acted as a guarantor for a £75K loan to Whitehaven Rugby League Football Club. When the club went into administration, taxpayers had to foot the bill.
- Kirklees Council has loaned Kirklees College £23 million to fund a new campus.
- Conwy Council plans to set-up a £1 million fund so it can provide financial guarantees to first time buyers. As our supporters said: how will they decide who benefits? How much administration will be involved?
- Plymouth City Council is considering buying Plymouth Argyle's Stadium.
- Eastleigh Borough Council is voting again on whether to loan Hampshire County Cricket Club £32 million so a hotel and media centre can be built at its ground.
As we can see from the example from Copeland, when things go wrong, it can be costly. Acting as lenders and guarantors for loans are not what councils are there to do. They should leave it to the professionals, and get on with providing front-line services.
If you haven't done so already, please sign up for our weekly bulletin. Every week we let you know the work we have been doing on your behalf, and highlight ways you can become involved in our campaigns. As you can see from these examples, the more supporters we have around the country highlighting issues in their local areas, the more we can do to expose wasteful spending. Come and join us, and get your friends and family to do the same.