The local Green Party, which has five councillors in the north of the borough, has called for more honesty about the implications of “savings”.
The plea came ahead of Solihull Council’s annual Budget meeting, during which members set out tax and spending plans for the next three years.
While council tax bills will rise by 0.99 per cent, many departments will nonetheless see a sharp fall in the amount of money available.
Spending is to be slashed by £36million between now and 2019, with the anti-social behaviour budget to be reduced by over a third and substantial reductions also planned for mental health care, youth services and charity support.
Coun Karl Macnaughton (Green, Chelmsley Wood) acknowledged the significant financial strain, but believed the local authority needed to be upfront with the public.
“With the level of year-on-year cuts we have been seeing it has now gone beyond the point where further reductions can be made without harming services… We need to make it clear how bad this situation is.
“Saying we’re re-envisioning, restructuring, saving, improving – let’s have a bit of honesty here.”
Councillor Bob Sleigh (pictured), leader of the council’s ruling Conservative group, said that the borough had once again suffered a dramatic drop in the money received from central Government and had “spelled out very clearly” the decisions it was taking.
“All the areas where we intend to make savings have been thoroughly discussed and I might add that all of these budgets have gone through the scrutiny process,” he said.
“I think we’re being totally honest, as we always are.”
In his opening statement, Coun Sleigh said Solihull’s forward planning was recognised as among the best in the country and that the increase in council tax was less than many neighbouring authorities.
The Budget was passed by a majority at the Full Council meeting last month.
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