WINCHESTER’S financial plan has been rubberstamped – despite concerns at a £10m budget shortfall over the next five years.

Opposition councillors labelled Winchester City Council’s financial plan as “not fit for purpose”, and called for the budget to be revised completely.

Liberal Democrat councillors, whose attempted amendment was defeated, say the budget was lacking in crucial details of where cuts and efficiencies are being made, and where increased income is coming from.

The General Fund Revenue budget shows that although it will break-even for 2017/2018, but after that the budget shortfall will increase year-on-year.

The budget shows a rise in council tax, more money coming in from business rates, but less money from the Revenue Support Grant and the New Homes Bonus, from central government.

Stephen Godfrey, portfolio holder for finance, said that the budget ensures that key services are maintained, and is largely as a result of reduced government funding.

Cllr Godfrey said: “Over the last few years, local government has faced turbulent times with endemic change and huge financial challenges.

“The city council has suffered all that and much more disruption besides, losing key senior staff at a time when we are trying to drive forward a step change in the way the council funds itself.

“The council’s finances presented this evening in a well-managed and surprisingly healthy state.”

Cllr Martin Tod spoke against the budget and pointed it out it leads to continued deficits: "Over the next three years every single year the income line just goes down, every single year every line of cost goes up, what they are asking us to support what they have put in front of us only breaks even in 2017.

"There's no details on efficiencies, we are just left with a deficit of four million in 2022 the only think baked in is the over development of Station Approach."

Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Winchester, Lucille Thompson has argued that that Winchester has agreed to a “disastrous” deal from central government, she argued that the budget does not address key decisions on cuts and savings.

Cllr Thompson said: “This budget is not fit for purpose, it contains lots of words and no numbers and detail on what the councils core activities and services, it contains no details about efficiencies that are planned or income streams that we can grow.”

She called on the new leader to support their call to get a better deal from the government.

Cllr Thompson added added: “Where will the shortfall be funded from and how can we achieve a balanced budget, it is unrealistic capital strategy and an unrealistic dragons den investment strategy.”

Conservative councillors accused the Lib Dems of “political posturing” ahead of county council elections in May.

Voting for the budget went along party lines, and it was approved.