Wandsworth Council Deletes Post on Financial Crisis Before By-Election

Wandsworth Council removed a Facebook post on 20 August that described the borough as facing a 'serious financial crisis' and called for 'urgent action' due to government funding cuts. The deletion occurred less than a week before a by-election that could determine which party controls the council for the next four years.

The by-election, scheduled for 27 August, follows the resignation of Labour councillor Lizzy Dobres, who left her Trinity ward seat in May after taking a politically restricted job. The Conservatives hold 29 seats, one short of a majority, while Labour has 28. A Conservative win would give the party a two-seat majority; a Labour victory would hand them control of the council.

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Accusations of Breaking Neutrality Rules

Labour leader Simon Hogg accused the council of breaching pre-election period (PEP) rules, which require public bodies to remain politically neutral. Hogg told the *Evening Standard* that the Conservatives were using the council as a 'Conservative Party press machine' to influence the by-election result.

Hogg said residents were aware that Wandsworth Council holds some of the highest reserves and lowest debt of any London borough. He added that the Conservatives had not disclosed their council tax plans, even omitting them from their election manifesto. 'Instead they are inflicting cuts on the most vulnerable residents and axing vital council homes,' he said.

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The Tories have been caught out, they are using council like a Conservative Party press machine, misleading residents.

Simon Hogg, Wandsworth Labour leader

Budget Gap and Funding Cuts

In an Instagram video posted by the council, Conservative deputy leader Jonathan Cook stated that the party had 'inherited a £137 million-per-year budget gap'. He attributed the shortfall partly to a 40% reduction in funding under the Labour government’s Fairer Funding Review.

The Fairer Funding Review will result in significant cuts to Wandsworth’s funding settlement, alongside five other councils: Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, Westminster, the City of London, and Windsor and Maidenhead. From next year, these boroughs will be exempt from the 5% cap on council tax increases, allowing them to raise bills above the national maximum to address budget shortfalls.

What Happens Next

The by-election for Trinity ward will take place on 27 August. Polling stations will be open from 07:00 to 22:00. The result is expected to be announced the following morning. Wandsworth Council has not responded to requests for comment on the deleted post or the accusations of breaching neutrality rules.

If the Conservatives win the seat, they will secure a two-seat majority on the council. If Labour wins, the party will take control of Wandsworth Council for the first time in decades. The outcome will shape the borough’s response to the £137m budget gap and future council tax decisions.