LIB DEMS SAY CABINET IGNORED ‘EXTRAORDINARY’ RISK WARNINGS

The Liberal Democrat Opposition Group has criticised Warrington’s Labour Cabinet for receiving a report that exposes major weaknesses in how the council manages risk without asking a single question about it. The risk report and strategic risk update went to Cabinet on Monday November 9th 2026.

Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group Cllr Helen Speed said, “The risks are obvious from the reports in front of Cabinet, but you would never have known it from the meeting. There were no questions and no challenge. One Cabinet member called the report an ‘interesting read’ and another called it ‘fascinating’.

When an update was asked for on the problems with the council’s finance and HR systems, none was available. Calling a risk report fascinating is not the same as getting to grips with it. This felt like a choreographed performance, not the scrutiny residents have a right to expect.”

Liberal Democrat Shadow Portfolio Holder for Communities, Culture and Leisure Cllr Sharon Harris added, “This report identifies major weaknesses in the way the council manages risk. It points to inconsistent risk registers, unclear accountability, poor reporting, risks not being escalated, a lack of member training and weaknesses in governance. It even says that ‘things are hidden in the current structure’.

These are extraordinary statements in a council still recovering from intervention. They should have been challenged at Cabinet, not simply noted.”

Cllr Judith Wheeler, Shadow Portfolio Holder for Housing said, “At Full Council last month my colleague Councillor Marks raised the toxic culture at the council and the loss of experienced staff. The reports to Cabinet talk about improvements in the culture of the organisation, but that is not what we are hearing from staff. The soundings we have tell a very different story.

A culture has only really changed when staff say so, not when a report does. Cabinet should be listening to the people who deliver council services every day and asking hard questions on their behalf.”

Cllr Speed concluded, “It wasn’t all bad news, and credit should be given where it is due. The Youth Justice report showed that 90% of young people stayed out of trouble. The council spends £19 per head on young people and is getting better outcomes than other areas that spend much more. That is the kind of honest, evidence-based reporting we want to see across the whole council.”