City's crisis 'has been years in the making'

City leaders say their financial crisis has been years in the making as they appeal to the government for a £17.5m emergency bailout.

Gloucester City Council's deputy leader Declan Wilson said this was not the time for civil servants' heads to roll, but they will "have to look at everybody" in the future.

Talking about the council's £4.3m overspend, MP for Gloucester Alex McIntyre said he has lost trust in senior officers who "have not been good enough".

An inquiry has already been launched by the council to investigate this year's overspend, with the leaders blaming poor accounting on a cyber attack in 2021.

When asked if he trusted council officers in an interview with BBC Radio Gloucestershire, Mr McIntyre said: "At the moment, without the answers, how can I? That's what I'm asking for on behalf of my constituents."

Mr McIntyre has met with government ministers making the case for Gloucester to be given a bailout to prevent the council effectively being declared bankrupt.

As a result of the financial issues, council leaders are considering job cuts, ending the lease with English Heritage for Blackfriars Priory and reducing museum opening days.

The council is also planning to increase costs for green and bulky waste collections.

Councillor Wilson said: "This is a crisis that has been years in the making.

"We have appointed a new head of finance who's been very good."

Alison Turner took on the role in April.

The city council has been led by the Liberal Democrats since May 2024, after previously being run by the Conservatives.

Stephanie Chambers, Conservatives group leader, accepts there is responsibility for them to take with some of the overspends, but now they need to work out why the accounts were so inaccurate.

"Where this money's gone, who knows - but there has to be some answers and there has to be some accountability," she added.

Terry Pullen, Labour's group leader, called for a full investigation into the finances.

Meanwhile, Alastair Chambers, who's in charge of the independent councillors, added: "The black hole is no longer a black hole, it's a crater."

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