Dragon Interview: What Will Be the Impact of GBC’s Covid Emergency Budgeting?

Published on: 4 Jun, 2020
Updated on: 7 Jun, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic is wreaking havoc with finances at all levels, from the global economy to humble domestic budgeting.

Government finances, at both national and local levels, are of course included and have been affected to a greater degree than at any time since, at least, the Second World War.

Finance does not always make exciting news but it is undoubtedly important. While our focus is still on controlling the pandemic it is understandable that the financial implications are not our major concern but the level of public services we have grown used to and enjoy rely on there being sufficient government funding to support them.

In this interview, Hugh Coakley investigates the situation at Guildford Borough Council with the help of three councillors: Tim Anderson (R4GV Clandon and Horsley), the new lead councillor for finance (or “Resources”), James Steel (Lib Dem, Westborough) the lead councillor for the Environment and James Walsh (Lab, Stoke).

Some of the questions Hugh Coakley poses are: What is the current state of Guildford Borough Council’s finances? Will we be getting the help from the government? And, in all the continuing uncertainty, what options does the council have in view of the reduced income that it has to work with?