A cinema, branches of Subway and Nandos and 13 flats in a city more than 100 miles away from Surrey are all part of the county council’s long-term investment strategy to offset the effects of Tory austerity.

The county council bought the properties in Worcester city centre for £11.8 million as part of a long-term investment strategy to boost spending on adult social care and children’s services, a spokesman stated.

From December: Surrey County Council forced to dip into 'largest ever use of reserves' to address £15 million overspend

In November, the council announced it was forced to dip into its reserves after blowing its budget by £15 million. It had overspent by £20.9 million on adult social care and by £5.1 million on children’s services, the council cabinet was told on November 22.

The spokesman added the council hoped the investment would offset having central government cut £170 million in funding since 2010.

But the leader of the opposition Labour party believes such investments would be better made inside the county, while his counterpart in Worcestershire told Worcester News in November he was “disgusted” with the deal.

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Robert Evans (pictured above), Surrey Labour Councillor said: “This seems a most extraordinary way to spend our residents’ hard earned money.

“If we need to invest in property, why on earth can’t we find local projects? Surely that would have a dual effect in that it would also assist the Surrey community?

“Imagine if the boot was on the other foot, just how happy would Surrey people feel if say, the centre of Guildford or Staines was sold to Worcestershire County Council?

“I will be writing to council bosses for an explanation and asking questions of our right-wing leadership at the next council meeting.”

From November: Prime Worcester site sold for £12m to prop up council services in Surrey

Councillor Peter McDonald, Labour group leader on Worcestershire County Council, said: "I'm absolutely disgusted with this deal. Prime land in Worcestershire should not be used to subsidise other authorities.

"The Worcester pound should stay in Worcester, not used to prop up other councils miles away.”

A Surrey County Council spokesman said: “Our grant from central government was reduced by nearly half last year despite demand for crucial services in Surrey continuing to rise.

“That is why we have had to devise an investment strategy to ensure we have money for key services such as adult social care, children’s services and road maintenance in years to come.

“This new income will help us continue to provide the vital service Surrey residents need, helping us secure the county’s future.”

The next county council meeting is at County Hall in Kingston on Tuesday, March 21.