Leaders at Leicestershire County Council have approved a 2.99% increase in council tax, amid concerns about future funding and the need for possible savings.

The Reform-led authority said that it was the first time in over a decade that residents did not face the maximum 4.99% increase.

Council leader Dan Harrison hailed the budget as "the people's budget", but opposition councillors raised concerns about the authorities' decision to use £15m in reserves within the first year to fund a spending gap.

Describing it as a "historic day", Cllr Harrison added: "There's not been a lower proposed increase in the county tax precept in over a decade.

"That is the instant impact of Reform. The budget put £34 back into residents' pockets rather than the Tories pitching more out of your wallets".

He also said that the new budget included an extra £127m investment in services, particularly social care, £48m of savings and £55m more to cover price and pay rises.

Cllr Harrison also pointed out its ongoing efficiency review had already found £4.5m in savings – despite costing the council £1.4m.

Despite Reform's claims, opposition councillors feared future funding issues and how the budget would affect the "most vulnerable" in Leicestershire, citing plans to close SEND nurseries in the county.

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Conservative opposition leader, Deborah Taylor, pointed out that it was "due to good financial management of previous administrations" that £15m of reserves could have been used to plug the funding gap.

Deputy Conservative leader Cllr Craig Smith claimed that it was an "officer-led budget".

He added: "I say that as a compliment to our officers because while the political leadership has been managing internal disagreements and firefighting the latest social media controversy, officers have quietly, professionally delivered a technically sound budget. They deserve our thanks".

When it came to the budget, Conservative councillors said they would "reluctantly" support the proposals, while other parties, including Labour, Liberal Democrats and Greens, abstained.

Labour councillor Jewel Miah said there was "more money coming to the county council than ever before" but feared about the amount of "overspend" in the budget and potentially larger deficits in the future.

Green councillor Naomi Bottomley also said she was "nervous" about the budget and that the council was "reliant on a lot of savings being found" and that the savings could be made "on the back" of the "most vulnerable".

During the meeting, Conservative members tabled amendments to spend £3m more on footpaths, proposing to save £60,000 a year by scrapping the council's newsletter and a £1,500 yearly lunch allowance for the county chairman's office.

Liberal Democrat councillor Stuart Bray attacked the "hypocrisy" of Conservative councillors, claiming they "lavishly wasted £100s of thousands of pounds on these things over the years".

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Despite the tabled proposals, they were voted down by Reform UK councillors, with Liberal Democrats councillors abstaining.

Another amendment was tabled by the Liberal Democrats, which included an extra £120,000 for bus services, an extra £60,000 for more regular weed spraying in the gutters, £80,000 for more regular grass verge cutting, and £160,000 for pavement repairs.

This was passed with Reform's support but attacked by Conservative councillors, who claimed there was "collusion" between the two parties.

Cllr Taylor called the plans an "insult to Leicestershire residents". She added: "Both the Lib Dems and Reform are playing party politics and putting them before our residents.

"I've witnessed once again awful behaviour in this chamber. We put forward very sensible amendments. What you've now put in is Mickey Mouse money.

"We put forward £3m for footpath improvements, and you voted against it apart from our Labour and Green councillors. But you're now going to support £160k, which is probably going to do one footpath. I think it's just disgusting".