The council's opposition leader has accused central government of the "deliberate and repeated" targetting of local government after another round of cuts was revealed at the authority.

The criticism came from the borough's Labour leader Nick Peel in response to the budget announced by the ruling Conservatives at the end of last week.

Included in the one-year budget is a rise in council tax of at least four per cent, as well as more than £4m in cuts.

These cuts are a lot less than those in the last two-year budget, but this is thanks to the council tapping into its reserves to the tune of £10m.

Cllr Peel said: "Yet again, councils such as Bolton are taking the hit as a result of government mismanagement of the economy. 

"When this all started, it was known as austerity and blamed on the economic crash, then we had Covid, now it is Putin’s war.

"However throughout this time, the government have deliberately and repeatedly targeted local government and the vital services it delivers. Bolton Council can no longer take these repeated year on year cuts. 

"One of the biggest reasons for the increased need for funding is the serious crisis in social care, and yet again the government is silent on any ideas to properly fund the needs of our ageing population through a fair taxation system, instead opting yet again to put increased pressures on council tax, which as we know is a very unfair way of raising cash."

The Labour Group leader acknowledged the difficulties faced by the Conservative Group, but committed to scrutinise the decisions made by leadership in the face of these difficulties.

Cllr Peel said: "Services like street cleaning, gritting and pot hole filling are becoming more and more threatened or non-existent. 

"Bolton Labour recognises the difficult task for the council, but it will be them who decide where the latest cuts are to go.

"We will study the details once known and propose our own alternatives, where we can, at the budget debate."

The government has been approached for a comment about Cllr Peel's criticism. 

The budget is to be considered by the cabinet on December 12, after which a public consultation opens.

If approved by the cabinet and full council in the New Year, it comes into effect in April.