Here's what you had to say on Copeland Council's financial situation

Council chiefs were told this week that they must accept the findings of a Government report into its finances and request £1.5 million in support to avoid the local authority equivalent of bankruptcy.

Copeland Borough Council’s financial position has been severely impacted for a number of years by a hefty business rates appeal from Sellafield, a cyber attack and the withdrawal of financial support from the UK Government.

Here's what you had to say.

Egils Zivtins said: "You can ask but don't hold your breath. When refused there is one last thing you can do. i.e. send out supplementary council tax bills. Won't go down well, but nobody is going to vote Tory ever again anyway, so no matter."

Another reader said: "If anyone needed an illustration of how vicious Tory austerity cuts drive local councils to bankruptcy then this is it."

The 39 page report revealed the “significant risk” of Copeland’s financial situation which could include a Section 114 notice – the council equivalent of bankruptcy.

Councillors met this week to agree their response to Government, which Minister for Levelling-Up Kemi Badenoch MP asked for within 30 days.

Chief Finance Officer Steven Brown recommended that the council request an immediate capitalisation directive of £1.5 million from Government, this is a portion of the £5 million in borrowing already accrued by Copeland and would simply give the legal authority to use it.

Mr Brown said: "As you’re aware, our reserves are reducing but a capitalisation directive of £1.5 million means our reserves are protected a little bit more, it means we don’t need to use the reserves as much.

"It provides us resilience in the final year of the council and I believe ensures that Copeland finishes well.

"As you know reserves are there for earmarked events and one-off events. The more reserves we have, the greater our resilience against any risks that might occur."