Opposition members on Warrington Council are demanding to see an auditor's letter sent 15 months ago which they claim sets out concerns about the authority's financial position and investment strategy.

Conservative councillors say that the concerns include the Labour-controlled council's debt of nearly £1.7 billion – reflecting a number of high-profile investments. These include the purchase of an energy company (£18m), a science and business park (£211m) and a £30m stake in Redwood Bank.