Council’s debt level reduced – but still £355m

Rochdale Council’s level of debt has reduced over the last 12 months – but the authority is still £355m in the red.

When the Labour group took control of the council as a minority administration in December 2010, following the collapse of the Liberal Democrat Group, the debt level was over £402m. As of Tuesday (24 January) the level is £355m.

Councillor Wera Hobhouse asked Council Leader Colin Lambert, at a meeting of Council: “What is the debt level of the Council now, and when Labour gained control of the Council 2010?”

Councillor Lambert said: “In December 2010 when Labour took over from your absolutely shambolic administration the Council debt was £402m, as of yesterday it is  £355m – we have brought it down.”