WINCHESTER civic chiefs have approved boosting this year's budget with surplus cash from last year.

The council saved around £2.7m on capital expenditure last year due to a mix of increased income and underspend.

A full council meeting approved bringing £1.6m forward to this year's budget last Wednesday (July 17).

Meanwhile, a further £1m will be transferred to the housing budget to help provide affordable housing.

But Lib Dem leader Kelsie Learney questioned why there were variances in the budget.

She said: “The total capital fund last year was set at £9.4m but just £3.9m has been invested. The housing budget was £10.6m and £7.6m has been spent.

“We all accept that changes have to be made and that things will stop but it does bring into question that ability of this administration to plan properly for major projects.

“I fear unless something is done we will continue struggling over the next few years as well.”

But council leader Keith Wood defended the administration and said budgets could not always be met.

He said: “I think the capital programme is always difficult to get work done in the required time and I think Cllr Learney's point that we cannot get things done ignores the way we are pushing forward in several areas.

“For example, the depot at Bar End is complete and is an excellent development that has been done on time and on budget.”