Councillors representing Bournemouth have voiced strong concerns about the proposed budget for the next financial year, describing it as disappointing and worrying for local residents.
The draft budget, released earlier this week, sets out plans to increase council tax, draw further money from reserves and introduce additional savings across services. Opposition leaders say this approach risks long term stability and could lead to residents paying more while receiving fewer services.
Labour Group Leader Councillor Patrick Canavan said the proposals showed a failure to balance the books in residents’ interests and warned the council had been relying on reserves while still overspending. He said pressures in adult and children’s social care were well known but questioned spending on other priorities.
Conservative Group Leader Councillor John Beesley said the budget gap was relatively small compared with overall spending but claimed money had been wasted on projects that did not benefit residents. He also raised concerns about a request for exceptional financial support being submitted to government without wider scrutiny.
Green Party Leader Councillor Chris Rigby said repeated savings demands and further use of reserves were not sustainable and called for national funding reform to protect local services.
Reform Group Leader Councillor Daune Farr said asking for special permission to raise council tax above normal limits showed poor financial management and warned residents were being asked to cover past mistakes.
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