Budget Opposition parties attack Greens’ latest plans for spending

OPPOSITION groups at Bristol City Council have criticised the Green-led authority’s proposed annual budget.

- Adam POSTANS

Labour, the second biggest party in the chamber and the one that has not aligned itself with the administration under the new committee system since 2024, claimed the Government was increasing the council’s funding by £161 million up to 2029.

But it said concerns remained over the Greens’ spending plans, including outsourcing and potential closure of adult social care places, although the group welcomed a series of U-turns from council leaders, such as reopening public toilets and reversing cuts to grants for cultural and community organisations.

The Conservatives said it was ‘deeply disappointing’ that the organisation refused to consider reductions to council tax benefits.

The Lib Dems, however, who chair two of the eight policy committees in an informal agreement with the Greens, said they had secured money for cleaner streets, community groups and planning enforcement.