[gynn]

As in all these stories, I prefer to trust the word of officers rather than politicians. The only public reference to the views of officers is the following"-

'The Lancashire Telegraph understands the claim of a ‘black hole’ baffled town hall accountants, as the council’s budgets have all been balanced in recent years'

I have expressed concerns about some of the income predictions, which no doubt officers are monitoring closely, but they won't allow the Council to spend money it hasn't got, or promise money that isn't there.