HAMPSHIRE County Council’s plans to close waste recycling centres on Thursdays, cut their opening hours and charge some people to use them have come under fire from East Hampshire District Council leader Ferris Cowper.

He said the move was “embarrassing”?for the county council and questioned whether other services were safe in their hands as well.

Cllr Cowper said: ‘This is a basic frontline service, popular with our residents, and to cut it back so dramatically is a very poor decision indeed.

“It is also ironic that this comes at a time when councils are urging people to recycle more than they do at present.

“This is incredibly embarrassing for the county council which wants to play the lead role in devolution, despite councils like our own saying it is not the best way forward.

“Last week the county announced it was closing a children’s centre in Petersfield and stopping the mobile library service to outlying villages like Buriton.

“Residents are entitled to ask themselves whether services are safe in their hands.”

l The leader of Winchester City Council believes a review of local government in Hampshire commissioned by district councils offers the best prospect for deciding which is the best option to take for the future. Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has commissioned a review of options for change.

Council leader Stephen Godfrey said: “This is aimed at expanding on the more limited focus of work already done by the county council.

He said a proposal for a county-wide unitary may be presented as “more efficient” but could lead to less responsive service provision, fewer local representatives and much higher council tax.