Conservatives have been warned that their cost-cutting ideas would mean redundancies.

David Buckle, chief executive of South Oxfordshire District Council, stepped in to the budget debate at the council's policy committee.

Tory members objected to the £12.2m budget set by the ruling Liberal Democrats and Labour members.

It would mean a six per cent increase in council tax the equivalent of 10.5p extra a week for every Band D council tax payer.

Rodney Mann (Con) said he objected because the rise was three times the rate of inflation.

He said not enough hard work had been done on cutting costs.

He said the aim should be a budget of £12m with savings on homelessness costs, concessionary fares and in the planning department.

He said: "In planning, we are supplying a Rolls-Royce service and it is costing us an arm and a leg. We could save £75,000 in this area."

But Mr Buckle warned: "I would urge caution. These savings may be possible and I certainly want to review the ways we provide services. We have to be very cautious.

"There is no way we could turn round tomorrow and introduce these savings within the organisation.

"We would be looking at redundancies and there are costs on that road."

He promised members there would be a constant search for savings.

Conservative leader Ann Ducker said she felt the six per cent increase from the district council and seven per cent from the county council were far too big.