CONSERVATIVE councillors say they will oppose an “unjustifiable” 4.8 per cent rise in council tax.

Bolton Council announced plans last week to introduce a three per cent increase ringfenced to fund adult social care, in addition to a 1.8 per cent general increase.

The proposals are expected to be confirmed at a full council meeting on Wednesday night.

Tory leader, Cllr David Greenhalgh, said: “We will not support the rise in council tax of 4.8 per cent.

“When levels of service are reducing for the average resident in Bolton; when unpopular measures are imposed on them such as the roll out of a fortnightly collection of a slim bin; when we see more fly-tipping, more litter, more crumbling roads and pavements; and we see reserves held by this council of over £200 million, this level of rise is unjustifiable.

“We will support the increase of three per cent which is ringfenced to support adult social care, which all parties accept is under huge pressure, but the further general increase of an extra 1.8 per cent we will oppose.”

Cllr Greenhalgh added that “innovation and thinking outside the box” is required to tackle the problems facing Bolton.

The Tories will suggest transferring money to improve roads and pavements, to address litter, fly-tipping, and dog fouling, and to set up a dedicated team of regeneration specialists to improve areas of the town centre.

He said: “We do not believe it is necessary to hold the level of reserves that we currently hold.

“A proportion of that money should be diverted with immediate effect into programmes that matter to residents.”