By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

The proposed Southampton City Council budget is built on “assumptions that contradict reality”, according to an opposition leader.

 

 

Cllr Peter Baillie, Conservative group leader (pictured above), said the Labour administration had “run out of ideas”, adding that the city “deserves better”.

Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Richard Blackman said it was pleasing to see a number of his party’s priorities in the budget headlines, but he said the “devil is in the detail”.

As reported, Labour chiefs have unveiled plans for a significant increase in capital spending, including on roads, libraries, schools and bin lorries.

Alongside a proposed 4.99 per cent council tax rise, cabinet member for finance Cllr Simon Letts said the additional investments were only possible because of additional funding from central government.

The budget is set to be debated at full council on Wednesday, February 25.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service approached opposition group leaders for their initial reaction to Labour’s plans.

Cllr Baillie said: “The administration is promising growth where the city is shrinking, and assuming shrinkage where demand is actually rising.

“They’re banking on more income from car parks while pushing drivers away, more income from museums while footfall falls, and lower demand in children’s services and adult social care when every indicator shows demand is increasing.

“They are taxing cars to park near district centres and then wondering what they can do to increase footfall.

“A budget built on assumptions that contradict reality is a budget that won’t hold.

“This is a budget from a party that has been in control too long, has already wrecked Southampton’s finances once, and has run out of ideas.”

The Harefield ward member said spending increases were largely based on higher than inflation council tax rises over several years.

He added: “This budget offers nothing to people who already feel abandoned. Southampton deserves better.”

Cllr Blackman, pictured left, said: “We are pleased to see a number of Liberal Democrat priorities included in the headline information on the proposed budget for the financial year 26/27.

“As ever, the devil is in the detail and we have several hundred pages of documentation to assess ahead of full council to work out what is and isn’t included, and to analyse the positions not just in the revenue account, but also the capital programme and housing revenue accounts.”

Photo of Cllr Peter Baillie & Cllr Blackman: Southampton City Council