THE council has launched a public consultation on its proposals to make £31.5 million worth of savings over two years.

The budget proposal for 2019-21 involves raising council tax by 2.5 per cent on top of the additional precept for the police and fire service set by the Mayor of Greater Manchester.

It also puts 124 jobs at risk and requires £8 million of the council's reserves to be spent

This means town hall bosses will still have to find savings of £23.5 million.

Council leader Linda Thomas blamed the government for taking local money and giving back "crumbs".

She said: “Sadly, we know that the changes we are proposing will affect the lives of people in our town and so we need people to have their say.

"I'm proud that as a Labour-run council we are leading the way as one of the best in the country for spending taxpayer’s money most effectively. We have further to go to ensure the burden is not shifted onto the shoulders of our residents."

Since 2011, the council has had £155 million less to spend due to central government cuts.

By the end of the decade, council tax will make up half of the council's annual running cost and a third will come from business rates.

Cllr Thomas added: “We can’t rest on our laurels and we cannot rely on the crumbs handed back to us by the government to meet the needs of children and how we care for older people.”

The proposals are likely to mean an increase in the cost of school meals, although free school meals for eligible children will be safeguarded.

A consultation on the proposals has now started following approval by the Cabinet this afternoon.

At the meeting, Conservative leader David Greenhalgh said that despite the cuts, outcomes have improved in many cases.

He said: "We're improving. There's an element with this situation that we find ourselves in comes with it some great opportunities to actively look in detail at service delivery."

Liberal Democrats leader Roger Hayes praised council staff for coping with years of austerity but noted that cracks are beginning to emerge in some areas.

He said: "The people understandably still expect the same level of service. We have got a really good council but as councillors we can see that some departments are cracking."

Consultation will run until January 14. A final report taking feedback into account will go back to the Cabinet on February 11 and to a meeting of full council for approval on February 20.

For more information, visit www.bolton.gov.uk/consultations.