OPPOSITION councillors have criticised decisions over Shropshire Council investments.

Liberal Democrat Hannah Fraser yesterday (Thursday, July 26) asked if the authority “lacked imagination” after the end-of-year accounts showed £92 million in the council’s reserves.

She questioned why the funds were not being utilised at a time when the council faces more than £100m in savings over the next five years.

Her comments came as some councillors continue to question the £52m purchase of three Shrewsbury shopping centres which was completed at the start of the year.

Cllr Fraser said: “There is £92m in a bank account with a low-rate interest when our corporate strategy is pushed to save.

“Is there a lack of imagination on the part of the council to find good projects to invest in and create revenue?”

She was supported by Liberal Democrat leader Roger Evans, who accused the cabinet of “failing” the council and said the balanced budget was “nothing to be proud of”.

He continued: “The council has delivered a balanced budget but that certainly wasn’t because of the actions of the cabinet.

“Over 17 per cent of savings due to be made this year were not made – that is over £2.5m.”

Cllr Evans added: “If this was a household what would happen? They would be taken to court because they hadn’t paid their bills.”

But Leader of the council, Peter Nutting, said the Liberal Democrats would have “bankrupt” the council had they been in charge.

He continued: “It’s easy to criticise without coming up with positive actions.

“If the Liberals were in charge they would have bankrupt the council by now.

“Every year you say we should be spending money, but we have to keep some in reserves. That £91m is cash fall.”

Cllr Nutting added: “We have had a difficult budgets for a number of years but we are getting it back.”

Cllr David Minnery, portfolio holder for finance, who presented the 2017/18 accounts to the council today, said there was “confusion” from members, commenting: “Remember that the amount of money we have in the bank has got nothing to do with the capital programme. It is designed to help the council with the work it does.”

He continued: “That £91m is the amount of cash we have at the moment because income for this authority does not come in in a straight line, it comes in peaks and troughs.”