LABOUR councillors in Basingstoke have spoken out against the details of the proposed cuts to services announced by Hampshire County Council (HCC).

HCC recently announced proposed changes to its budget after consulting residents through its ‘balancing the budget’ initiative as it looks to make savings of £140 million before April 2019.

Councillor Laura James, Basingstoke and Deane Borough councillor for Norden, said: “I’m not sure what the point in having the county council is these days.

"Not only are they cutting services back but they’re stopping many services altogether now. This next round of cuts looks to be particularly heartless.”

Two of the proposals coming under the councillor’s fire the most are changes to the funding of school crossing patrols and the Basingstoke Dial-a-Ride service.

Cllr James added: “They are now proposing to withdraw funding for all school crossing patrols.

"What an appalling decision; children will be literally taking their lives in their hands crossing some of our roads to get to school.

“Another proposal is to stop all funding for the much loved and well used Basingstoke Dial-a-Ride service.

“We’ve highlighted before about the millions of pounds that the county council has spent on management consultants over the last couple of years, it’s actually obscene that they now turn around and want you and I to pay the price.”

Leader of HCC, Councillor Roy Perry, said: “Inevitably, this will involve changes to the way services are delivered, and further reductions in our workforce. It is too early to predict what the precise impact will be, as plans are still evolving.

“The county council remains one of the strongest local authorities in the country - delivering some of the best public services to Hampshire’s 1.3 million residents, and providing good value for money.”

The proposals will be considered at a county cabinet meeting on October 16, with the final decision being made at a full county council meeting on November 2.

That will then be followed by further consultations with those involved where it is necessary.