WIRRAL Council has been accused of "losing control of its budget" after a freeze on all "non-essential spending" was introduced.

According to the borough's Conservative group, staff at the local authority have been told spending will now be subject to a decision by a panel of senior officers.

The group also claimed the move meant the budget introduced earlier this year by the Labour group, which saw a 5.99% council tax hike, is "not sufficiently robust".

But the council hit back saying it had to ensure it was delivering best value for money, adding that this was "good financial management".

Leader of the Wirral’s Conservative Councillors, Ian Lewis, said: "This shock move causes concern that the town hall has lost control of its budget, less than three months after residents were hit by a big rise in council tax.

"Council staff have, presumably, only been spending what the Labour Party agreed.

"This means that either the existing financial controls are inadequate or the budget introduced by the Labour Party is not sufficiently robust.

"Staff, councillors and, most important, council tax payers, deserve an immediate explanation from the cabinet."

Cllr Phil Gilchrist, leader of the Liberal Democrats group on the council, said all councillors should be told about the "problems".

He added: "The budget the Labour council passed in March relied heavily on moving money around, selling assets and introducing unpopular car parking charges.

"The gap in the budget, between projected income and projected expenditure, was flagged up at the time.

"Any new steps will be closely questioned to see if there are underlying problems that were glossed over."

Responding to the allegations, a spokesman for Wirral Council said:

"The council continues to have to make huge savings as austerity policies continue and demand for services rises – next year we are required to save £45m from our budget.

"It is absolutely right and sensible that we scrutinise every pound spent to ensure it is delivering the best value for money for Wirral residents.

"This is good financial management."