UNION bosses have slammed the council over a lack of consultation 'on the detail' of the £136 million budget – days before it is set to be approved.

Jason Horan, joint branch secretary of Unison's Warrington local government branch, sent a strongly-worded e-mail to finance chiefs Lynton Green and Cllr Russ Bowden to highlight his concerns.

He said there has been 'no consultation' with the trade unions 'on the detail' of the £136.35 million budget and four-year settlement, which will come before full council for a vote on Monday, February 27.

He added: "We also question what consultation, if any, has been undertaken with other relevant bodies.

"To say that I am disappointed is an understatement.

"Although you will state we have had a few meetings over the previous 12 months regarding the outcome based budgeting process there has been little to no detail provided on budget proposals for the next 12 months to four years.

"All you have provided is overall savings and cuts targets, which to be truthful, has consistently changed anyway.

"At the last meeting we had with you on the January 10 we were presented with an SMT report giving headline statements on proposed budget saving areas.

"You were informed by us that this did not come close to a budget consultation document and we required much more detail around the specific proposals including how the budget gap was going to be met.

"Alongside this we required much more detail from you over the full four-year settlement and how, or what, proposals were being considered to meet further budget gaps.

"Since January 10 we have received no further information from you.

"I must stress my disappointment at this year's budget process and raise serious concerns at the lack of consultation on proposals for the upcoming financial year and further three years of settlement.

"It certainly has not been anywhere like meaningful and question the future direction of the council given words like 'commissioning' have been used when it is clearly apparent that a budget consultation process cannot be open and transparent."

The council insists it is 'absolutely committed' to a budget consultation process which is 'open and transparent'.

A spokesman said: "We have met a number of times with trade unions for discussions around the budget – and this discourse will continue.

"It is important to note that we are moving to a four year budget, to enable us to undertake more long-term, strategic and proactive planning of services.

"Therefore, we will be consulting at the appropriate times on individual projects, as the process moves forward.

"Any changes affecting staff will be subject to separate consultation and we will, of course, work closely with trade unions on each of these proposals

"In addition, we have carried out a range of activities to explain the budget proposals to a number of different groups, including events for local businesses and the voluntary sector, briefings for elected members and an engagement forum for our own staff."